Subscribe to Print Edition | Wed., July 23, 2008 Tamuz 20, 5768 | | Israel Time: 16:57 (EST+7) web haaretz.com   Back to Homepage Rosner's Domain Diplomacy Defense Jewish World Opinion National Print Edition Car Rental Books Haaretz Magazine Business Real Estate Easy Start Travel Week's End Anglo File

Last update - 20:21 01/07/2008 Olmert: Don't interpret Israel's restraint in Gaza as weakness By Haaretz Service and The Associated Press Tags: Olmert, Qassam, Hamas, Gaza Prime Minister Ehud Olmert on Tuesday warned that though Israel is exhibiting patience in the face of violence from the Gaza Strip, the Palestinians should not interpret Israel's restraint as weakness. "We are in favor of a genuine calm," Olmert said while on a tour of southern Israel. "If it prevails, fine. If it doesn't, we know how to respond with full force, and in a manner that will guarantee complete security to the residents of the south." Israel and the rulers of the Gaza Strip, Hamas, agreed on an Egyptian-brokered cease fire last month, under which Palestinians would stop firing rockets and shells into Gaza-border Israeli communities, and Israel would open its border crossings and refrain from military operations within the Strip. Advertisement Israel once again shut its cargo crossings with Gaza earlier Tuesday, accusing Gaza militants of violating the truce by firing a rocket at southern Israel on Monday. Gaza's Hamas rulers denied a rocket was fired and accused Israel of trying to shirk its commitment under the cease-fire to ease its bruising blockade of Gaza. Gaza militants have attacked Israel at least three times since the truce went into effect on June 19. Israel has responded by closing its crossings with Gaza, but has not responded militarily. "The closing of the border today is unjustified and another indication that the Israeli occupation is maneuvering and trying to dodge the conditions of the calm understanding," Hamas spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri said. Related articles: Israel closes Gaza border crossings once again in wake of Qassam Israel keeps Gaza crossings closed, as Egypt eases Rafah border UN chief proposes multinational force for Gaza crossings Bookmark to del.icio.us   Baptism by fire Bradley Burston offers 10 Mideast traps for Barack Obama to avoid. A second life 'Exodus' passenger makes aliyah six decades after being turned away.   1.   Interpretation? 19:29  |  Frank 01/07/08   2.   No Olmert. Not "Israel`s weakness." Yours! Please... 19:42  |  bat yam 01/07/08   3.   blah blah blah 20:04  |  vik 01/07/08   4.   Sad but true 20:19  |  Joseph 01/07/08   5.   Olmert - You (And Israel) Are Better Off If You Say Nothing 20:22  |  Tod Zuckerman 01/07/08   6.   Empty words 20:32  |  Bob 01/07/08   7.   has not responded militarily 20:52  |  David 01/07/08   8.   Olmert is right but someone else would make a better PM 21:04  |  Realist 01/07/08   9.   Olmert says....... 21:05  |  Dagma 01/07/08   10.   Real strength. Dear Mr. Olmert ... 21:09  |  Edith 01/07/08   11.   Oldmerde : not weakness 21:12  |  myron ernst 01/07/08   12.   Hamas is being responsible for everything that goes on in... 21:12  |  Jean Van Daem 01/07/08   13.   What is this obsession Olmert has with the "weakness" image 21:18  |  Conroy 01/07/08   14.   Shooting an old woman tending a sheep inside Gaza and killing a 21:20  |  lakshmi 01/07/08   15.   olmert 21:45  |  azad 01/07/08   16.   If you know, do it! 21:49  |  Vital 01/07/08   17.   ????????????????? 22:20  |  eva 01/07/08   18.   Winograd Report slammed "Restraint is strength" but Olmert&Barak 22:57  |  Absolute Sweden 01/07/08   19.   I don`t and anyone who does 23:11  |  Mark Lincoln 01/07/08   20.   Olmert back to your country of Origin 23:37  |  Steve 01/07/08   21.   Lakshmi: Listen, woman. Your expressions are similar to ones..... 00:41  |  Vittorio 02/07/08   22.   Hannibal ante portas 00:43  |  Jim 02/07/08   23.   To Joseph: Israel Can Take Hamas Out in 2 Hrs 01:25  |  Dave Levy 02/07/08   24.   No one believes a word he says anymore 02:14  |  Jim 02/07/08   25.   lakshmi 02:15  |  vik 02/07/08   26.   The roar of a lion, the heart of a mouse 02:16  |  Mark 02/07/08   27.   Olmert is weak. Talks tough , does nothing 02:48  |  judith 02/07/08   28.   25 Vik,the funny thing is that a vile siege is on and 03:47  |  lakshmi 02/07/08   29.   ENTER BIBI 04:00  |  G-dsHumbleServant 02/07/08   30.   Congratulation 04:37  |  Fadhil 02/07/08   31.   WAKE UP MERT;AFTER LEBANON EVERYONE LOOKS AT YOU AS WEAK!MAYBE IT 07:08  |  glenna 02/07/08

Read & React Bradley Burston: Ten Mideast traps for Obama to avoid Responses: 69 Israel keen to crack down on East Jerusalem terror Responses: 52 'No excuses,' says visiting Obama about bulldozer terrorist Responses: 28 Hezbollah chief to UN: Ready to swap more prisoners with Israel Responses: 45 Akiva Eldar: For sake of the Jewish state, divide Jerusalem Responses: 37 Aluf Benn: Israel's slap in the face from America over Iran Responses: 25 Rosner's Domain Is Jimmy Carter 'tone-deaf' to Jewish sensibilities? (WTR) Will Lebanon pay the price for the prisoner swap deal? What will Obama look for in Jerusalem (and Ramallah)? Why does Israel keep agreeing to prisoner swaps? More Headlines 16:05 Obama in Jerusalem: I'm committed to Israel's security 05:51 ANALYSIS / Obama visiting Israel to impress Jewish voters, not Israelis 15:15 Israel keen to crack down on East Jerusalem terrorists 15:07 Woman suspected of selling her children, sending them to U.K. 13:48 Talansky money trail: Olmert's ex-lawyer tells police how cash was handled 16:25 Polygraph confirms IDF officer didn't didn`t order soldier to shoot cuffed Palestinian 12:21 Goodbye Golden Girl: Comic actress Estelle Getty dies at 84 09:20 Hezbollah chief to UN: Ready to swap more prisoners with Israel 08:27 ANALYSIS / Timing of second Jerusalem bulldozer attack was amazing 10:48 Hundreds turn out for Tel Aviv rally in honor of Gilad Shalit 14:28 Record 450 French immigrants to arrive at Ben Gurion Airport 09:18 Senior IDF officer seriously hurt after jeep flips over in south 09:47 Livni: When I'm PM, I want a unity coalition with Labor and Likud 16:22 Olmert gov't to hold first meeting on global jihad Wednesday 05:31 Man ordered to pay wife NIS 55,000 for refusing to divorce her Previous Editions Select Day 22 jul 21 jul 20 jul 18 jul 17 jul 16 jul 15 jul 14 jul 13 jul 11 jul 10 jul 09 jul

Special Offers Advertisement Fattal Hotel Chain Perfectly located hotels on best resorts of Israel. Israel's Premier Real Estate Website www. israel-property.com Dan Hotels Israel Live the Legend & experience an Unforgettable Summer Vacation Yossi Avrahami Presents: New Luxurious Projects in North Tel Aviv & Eilat Holyland Park Jerusalem Apartment Tower World Class Luxury Your vacation starts here Israel Travel Center Guaranteed Lowest Rates Hebrew Summer courses From $39.95 ISRAEL BONDS Build Israel Israel bonds - a multi-purpose way to celebrate Israel's 60th Eldan Rent a Car Israel's leading car rental company offers you a 20% discount on all online reservations Junkyard Junk a car - get free towing nationwide and a tax-deductible receipt

Home | TV | Print Edition | Diplomacy | Opinion | Arts & Leisure | Sports | Jewish World | Underground | Site rules |

Real Estate in Israel | Travel to Israel with Haaretz | Hotels Israel | Restaurants Israel | Tourist attractions Israel | Shops Israel

birthright Israel | Search engine marketing

Haaretz.com, the online edition of Haaretz Newspaper in Israel, offers real-time breaking news, opinions and analysis from Israel and the Middle East. Haaretz.com provides extensive and in-depth coverage of Israel, the Jewish World and the Middle East, including defense, diplomacy, the Arab-Israeli conflict, the peace process, Israeli politics, Jerusalem affairs, international relations, Iran, Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, the Palestinian Authority, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, the Israeli business world and Jewish life in Israel and the Diaspora.

© Copyright  Haaretz. All rights reserved