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| By israelinsider staff and partners August 2, 2006 |
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PM Ehud Olmert tried to cover up a political blunder by denying he told the foreign press that success in the current war "will ultimately lay the foundations for movement in the framework of the realignment." Unfortunately for Olmert, the comments were broadcast on army radio, stirring fierce opposition and causing soldiers to refuse to serve if it meant supporting a process that would lead to future retreats from Judea and Samaria.
The full text of the question and answer exchange, with Reuters, was as follows:
Q: Looking ahead to your West Bank realignment plan. Israel pulled out of Gaza, Israel pulled out of Lebanon and yet Israel is back in Gaza and back in Lebanon. What does this bode for your West Bank realignment?
"Olmert: We are not really back in Gaza. We are acting in Gaza in order to defend ourselves in spite of the fact that we pulled out entirely and they were shooting at us as they did and the same in Lebanon."
"The answer for our security problems is not occupying territories. The answer is to create an environment that will be more encouraging for peace negotiations and that is what we were trying to do."
"Today, to speak about the realignment is not the right time because we are engaged in this effort to stop the terrorist actions from Gaza and the war against Israeli citizens from Lebanon."
"But I genuinely believe that the determination that Israel manifests and the power that we project and the outcome of these operations both in the south and in the north will ultimately lay the foundations for movement in the framework of the realignment."
Religious and right of center politicians were outraged by the remarks.
"The backing Olmert received went to his head," Knesset Member Zvi Hendel (National Union) said in response to Olmert's comments, which seemed to stun rightist Knesset members. "How many missiles and rockets need to fall on the North and South in order for Olmert to understand that state security cannot be achieved through bragging?and splitting the nation?"
The "Yesha" Council of Jewish Communities in Judea and Samaria said in a statement that "the continuation of the blind rush to realignment provides terrorism with a backwind and encourages Nasrallah to continue until all his objectives are achieved. It appears Olmert is interested in breaking up the consensus around the war, while this tough time calls for finding the common denominator."
Israel Our Home Chairman Avigdor Lieberman dealt with the practical implications of what withdrawals from Judea and Samaria: "Just like the disengagement brought Hamas to power and led to the massive firing of Qassams on the South and the abduction of our soldiers, so would the realignment plan lead to the massive firing of thousands of missiles on central Israel communities and Jerusalem."
"Instead of wasting billions on a dubious diplomatic adventure, it's better to invest the money in rehabilitating the North and the communities that suffered immense economic damages," Lieberman said.
Even in the opposition Likud party, whose leader Binyamin Netanyahu has unflaggingly supported the government during the war, MKs launched harsh criticism of Olmert.
"The prime minister is disconnected from reality," said MK Gideon Sa'ar, the Likud faction chairman. "After the policy of unilateral withdrawal brought missiles to Haifa and Ashkelon, Olmert insists on continuing this reckless policy that will certainly bring missiles to every city in Israel."
Moshe Feiglin, a Likud leadership candidate, called for soldiers to return from the north. "Dear soldiers, come home and save the state. It is apparent that this war is not just unnecessary, but dangerous," said Feiglin. "Israel purposefully started an unwinnable war. Anyone who cares about the state of the country shouldn't participate in this show."
Unnamed members of Olmert's own Kadima party raised an eyebrow over the prime minister's timing, ynet reported. "This is not the time to talk about realignment. First we should examine the war's results, and only then decide on our diplomatic course."
National Religious Party Chairman Zevulun Orlev also rejected Olmert's comments.
"Any intelligent person realizes that the war defeated realignment," Orlev said. "Olmert suffers from diplomatic blindness. It's a pity that at wartime the prime minister chooses to split the nation instead of uniting it."
Far-right activist Baruch Marzel also blasted the PM, charging that "it's about time Olmert stop thinking that he rules the world."
"The man doesn't learn from mistakes -- realignment will lead to Qassam rockets on Kfar Saba and Netanya," Marzel said.
Late Wednesday, Olmert tried some damage control. A statement issued by the Prime Minister's Office was issued, stating:
"Prime Minister Ehud Olmert spoke this evening (Wednesday), 2.8.06, with MK Effie Eitam regarding remarks that were attributed to the former in foreign news agencies. The Prime Minister made it clear to MK Eitam, who protested to him on behalf of broad right-wing circles, that he (the former) is engaged exclusively in conducting Israel's struggle in the north and the south. Prime Minister Olmert said that the war is the result of an attack initiated by Hizbullah against Israel and is entirely unrelated to future diplomatic moves in other arenas."
"On Tisha B'Av (the Ninth of [the Hebrew month of] Av, when we recall the destruction [of the Temples], the complete unity of the army and the home front must be maintained in order to succeed in this harsh war."
Olmert did not reconcile his statement to Eitam with his published and broadcast comment that Israel's current war activities "will ultimately lay the foundations for movement in the framework of the realignment."
On Monday, the Prime Minister said that the fighting in the north and south has not dampened his enthusiasm for realignment, telling Gaza expellees that other settlements will be evacuated.
"Your difficulties are clear to me and we will solve the problems," Olmert told representatives of the former Gaza residents living in temporary housing in Nitzan.
"We will yet evacuate communities and it is important to me to complete this chapter as soon as possible so that we will be able to continue as a strong and united nation for the challenges that await us."
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