Yisrael Beiteinu, rightist factions slam PM's speech

Despite having recently joined the coalition, Yisrael Beiteinu was one of several right-wing parties to slam Prime Minister Ehud Olmert yesterday for saying in a speech at Sde Boker that Israel would evacuate many settlements in exchange for peace with the Palestinians.

"Before beginning any political process, we must make the residents of the south secure and three conditions must be met: a total cease-fire, an end to arms smuggling from Egypt to the [Gaza] Strip, and the dismantling of terror organizations and collection of illegal weapons," Yisrael Beiteinu said in a statement.

MK Benny Elon (National Union-National Religious Party) said that Olmert was leading Israelis astray, as rockets continue to fall on the country. He termed the prime minister's conduct an "existential risk."

"The Palestinians are interpreting Olmert's announcement that he is prepared to establish an independent [Palestinian] state as a capitulation to terror," added MK Aryeh Eldad, also from National Union-NRP.