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| By Israel Insider staff June 20, 2007 |
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Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said Tuesday in Washington that Israel would agree to a "more far-reaching" elimination of checkpoints to increase Palestinian freedom of movement inside the West Bank. In the past, removal of checkpoints has been followed by suicide bombing attacks in Israel. Checkpoints are often the last opportunity to detect and stop terrorists enroute to their attacks.
Olmert also freed up hundreds of millions of dollars for Abbas to dispense. He said that the cabinet would on Sunday approve the release of tax revenues collected by Israel on the behalf of the Palestinian Authority. Previous transfers have been used to fund terrorist groups, and to buy guns and ammunition. In Gaza, the weapons fell within days in the arms of Hamas.
Speaking after a series of meetings in the White House, including a two-hour private session with President George W. Bush, Olmert said that "The new Palestinian government deserves a chance, and also assistance" to bolster forces loyal to PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas.
Referring to Gaza, Olmert said: "We will provide all that is necessary to meet humanitarian needs and we will not be indifferent. This suffering has been caused by Palestinians against their own people."
Regarding the plight of refugees waiting at the Erez crossing, Olmert said that non-terrorists will be allowed to pass through.
Bush Speech, Quartet Meeting Cancelled
In the wake of the Hamas takeover in Gaza, the speech that Bush was planning to make next week to commemorate the launching of his "two-state vision" has been canceled, and a planned visit to the region by Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has been postponed. Also canceled was a meeting of the Quartet scheduled to be held in Cairo next week with the participation of Olmert and Abbas. The cancellations underscore the gap between the upbeat statements and the grim reality that has emerged.
Olmert reiterated his commitment to meet with Abbas and stressed that he was even willing to visit Jericho, but he did not say whether there a meeting of the two had been scheduled. |
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