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Olmert before his Knesset Speech (Flash90)
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| By Israel Insider staff October 8, 2007 |
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Opening the Knesset's winter session, Ehud Olmert said Israel must move ahead with peace talks while fighting terror in Gaza. "Important decisions are before us," he said, calling for civility in the expected debates over his expressed willingness to make unprecedented concessions. "Even in times of test, of arguments, conflicts must be dealt with in a relevant manner and with mutual respect. It isn't about a struggle between good and evil," the prime minister continued.
"We must give negotiations a chance. Israel has excellent excuses to justify stagnation in the talks. I don't intend to look for excuses. I'm determined to give a chance to a meaningful diplomatic process, jointly with Abu Mazen (PA President Mahmoud Abbas' nom de guerre). Any other option means a demographic battle, drowned in blood and tears, which does not serve the State of Israel in any way."
It's unclear what Olmert meant by this last sentence.
He added: "The road to an agreement is still far and it is rife with pitfalls and difficulties. Terror from Gaza continues to run rampant, and as I said, we have no intention of accepting it. The terror organizations remain active in Judea and Samaria, and there will be no Israeli withdrawal whatsoever before it is eradicated there as well."
It's unclear what Olmert meant by "eradication" or who would be doing the "eradicating" if the Palestinian Authority was unable and the IDF is unwilling.
According to the prime minister, "it takes determination to make courageous decisions, which include giving up fully realizing the dreams that have nourished our national ethos for many years."
He implied readiness to dash those dreams without consulting the Knesset. |
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