Posted on 12/11/2003 10:59:01 AM PST by anotherview
Last Update: 11/12/2003 20:38
Olmert: plan includes dismantling many settlements
By Aluf Benn and Gideon Alon, Haaretz Correspondents, Haaretz Service and Agencies
Israel's Deputy Prime Minister said Thursday Israel would have to dismantle "a considerable amount of settlements" under his plan for a unilateral withdrawal from some areas of the Gaza Strip and West Bank. In an interview with The Associated Press, Ehud Olmert said he would soon reveal precise details of his plans for an Israeli pullback from some areas and the annexation of others.
Israel had to be prepared to take action on its own if peace talks with the Palestinians fail, something he regards as inevitable.
However, Palestinian Prime Minister Ahmed Qureia warned Thursday that such unilateral steps would only increase the bloodshed.
Olmert and Prime Minister Ariel Sharon have been talking in recent days about pulling out of parts of the territories Israel captured in the 1967 war.
Olmert said chances for a peace deal were slim because the Palestinians refuse to crack down on militant groups. If talks break down, "it is incumbent on Israel to take unilateral steps and to create a unilateral separation between us and the Palestinians."
Olmert would not name which settlements were to be uprooted under his plan, but "a considerable amount of settlements and a considerable number of people will have to move into different areas."
However, Olmert said that Israel would not pull back to its borders before the 1967 War or relinquish all of East Jerusalem.
"This will not be identical to the 1967 borders. Definitely not. It will include on the Israeli side the united city of Jerusalem. But it will be a lot different from the reality that exists today," Olmert said.
The Palestinians claim all of the West Bank and Gaza Strip for a future state with east Jerusalem as their capital.
Olmert denied he was acting as a proxy for Sharon, but said he was confident he had the prime minister's support.
"If you ask me if the general direction of the prime minister is similar to mine, the answer is yes. I believe so, I know so," Olmert said, dismissing Qureia's threats of more violence.
"Unilateral separation will reduce the chances of fighting to a minimum because it will be an entirely new reality. That's precisely what scares the Palestinians," Olmert said, adding that the fate of the peace process was in the hands of the Palestinians.
"If they are unable to go ahead and unwilling to fight terror organizations, then there will be a unilateral, comprehensive step taken by the state of Israel, and I think that may indeed change fundamentally the situation in the Middle East," Olmert said.
Olmert, a former mayor of Jerusalem, said he had become convinced his plan was needed to preserve a Jewish majority in Israel.
"If we have to make a choice between a Jewish state and the whole of Israel, unfortunately I have to prefer a Jewish state and that means also dividing the land," Olmert said.
Olmert said these unilateral steps would improve Israel's image.
"What they (the Palestinians) call occupation will almost completely end, therefore they will not be able to show Palestinian people under Israeli guns in Palestinian cities," he said.
Yesha Council: Likud ministers support fighting withdrawals Yesha Council chairman Benzi Lieberman told Israel Radio on Thursday that several Likud ministers support the council’s plan to fight Sharon’s plan which includes possible unilateral withdrawals, and said that their identities would be revealed only if the plan is revealed next week.
Lieberman also told the radio that the he was told by cabinet ministers that Sharon in the upcoming days will announce his new diplomatic plan.
The council settlement movement convened in the Gaza Strip settlement of Neveh Dekalim for an emergency meeting to discuss the latest statements by Sharon and his deputy, Ehud Olmert on unilateral withdrawals and relocation of communities.
The council said that a prime minister who evacuated settlements would not remain in office, Channel One reported.
According to Army Radio, the settler leaders discussed ways of preventing a government vote on the evacuation of outposts.
The settler leaders agreed to initiate a public relations media campaign and planned a series of demonstrations.
In a Knesset speech on Wednesday evening, Olmert confronted right-wing Knesset members who harshly criticized him for his support of unilateral withdrawals from areas in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. Olmert charged the right-wing MKs with hypocrisy.
"The radical right lives in a virtual reality," Olmert said. "We need to take the initiative. Rather than depend on Palestinian Authority Chairman Yasser Arafat's will to negotiate, we need to set the essential parameters for a solution. To do that, we must withdraw to a different border than the one we keep today," Olmert said, stressing that "painful compromises will have to be made, involving transfer of some settlers, because there is no other alternative."
Speaking to his fellow Likud Party colleagues, Olmert said "deep in our hearts we know the truth. There is no chance to reach an agreement that will not involve a compromise, which involves both sides relinquishing some of their demands. A compromise will involve an Israeli withdrawal from some territories, as well as a Palestinian relinquishing of demands and of dreams."
Deputy PM Olmert pauses during an interview on Thursday in Tel Aviv. (AP) Related Links * Op-Ed / From Herzliya to Herzliya * Op-Ed / Being driven out by demography Top Articles Only Egged The Egged bus cooperative held a monopoly on inter-city bus routes since the 1930s. By Anat Georgi Burekas every day The new satellite Israeli Cinema channel will show feature films and documentaries, television dramas and programs about Israeli cinema. By Goel Pinto More Headlines 20:27 3 killed in attempt on life of underworld kingpin 20:27 Six Palestinians killed in clashes with IDF troops in Gaza 20:38 Olmert: plan includes dismantling many settlements 20:21 Kern 'loans' to Sharon totaled more than $3 million 17:48 FM Shalom holds meeting with Pope in Vatican 18:15 Security veterans' report predicts warlords after Arafat goes 20:05 French report backs ban on veil, skullcap, cross Home | News | Business | Editorial & Op-Ed | Features | Sports | Books | Cartoon | Site rules | © Copyright 2003 Haaretz. All rights reserved Homepage Search site News Updates Thu., December 11, 2003 Kislev 16, 5764 Israel Time: 20:38 (GMT+2) Print Edition News Business Editorial & Op-Ed Features Sports Art & Leisure Books Letters Food & Wine Tourism Real Estate Cartoon Friday Magazine Week's End Anglo File EU anti-Sem. report The Geneva Accord Separation fence Mideast road map Previous Editions
This Day in Haaretz Today`s Papers Map of Israel Useful Numbers In-depth About Haaretz Tech Support Paper in PDF format Headline Newsbox Last Update: 11/12/2003 20:38 Olmert: plan includes dismantling many settlements By Aluf Benn and Gideon Alon, Haaretz Correspondents, Haaretz Service and Agencies
Israel's Deputy Prime Minister said Thursday Israel would have to dismantle "a considerable amount of settlements" under his plan for a unilateral withdrawal from some areas of the Gaza Strip and West Bank. In an interview with The Associated Press, Ehud Olmert said he would soon reveal precise details of his plans for an Israeli pullback from some areas and the annexation of others.
Israel had to be prepared to take action on its own if peace talks with the Palestinians fail, something he regards as inevitable.
However, Palestinian Prime Minister Ahmed Qureia warned Thursday that such unilateral steps would only increase the bloodshed.
Olmert and Prime Minister Ariel Sharon have been talking in recent days about pulling out of parts of the territories Israel captured in the 1967 war.
Olmert said chances for a peace deal were slim because the Palestinians refuse to crack down on militant groups. If talks break down, "it is incumbent on Israel to take unilateral steps and to create a unilateral separation between us and the Palestinians."
Olmert would not name which settlements were to be uprooted under his plan, but "a considerable amount of settlements and a considerable number of people will have to move into different areas."
However, Olmert said that Israel would not pull back to its borders before the 1967 War or relinquish all of East Jerusalem.
"This will not be identical to the 1967 borders. Definitely not. It will include on the Israeli side the united city of Jerusalem. But it will be a lot different from the reality that exists today," Olmert said.
The Palestinians claim all of the West Bank and Gaza Strip for a future state with east Jerusalem as their capital.
Olmert denied he was acting as a proxy for Sharon, but said he was confident he had the prime minister's support.
"If you ask me if the general direction of the prime minister is similar to mine, the answer is yes. I believe so, I know so," Olmert said, dismissing Qureia's threats of more violence.
"Unilateral separation will reduce the chances of fighting to a minimum because it will be an entirely new reality. That's precisely what scares the Palestinians," Olmert said, adding that the fate of the peace process was in the hands of the Palestinians.
"If they are unable to go ahead and unwilling to fight terror organizations, then there will be a unilateral, comprehensive step taken by the state of Israel, and I think that may indeed change fundamentally the situation in the Middle East," Olmert said.
Olmert, a former mayor of Jerusalem, said he had become convinced his plan was needed to preserve a Jewish majority in Israel.
"If we have to make a choice between a Jewish state and the whole of Israel, unfortunately I have to prefer a Jewish state and that means also dividing the land," Olmert said.
Olmert said these unilateral steps would improve Israel's image.
"What they (the Palestinians) call occupation will almost completely end, therefore they will not be able to show Palestinian people under Israeli guns in Palestinian cities," he said.
Yesha Council: Likud ministers support fighting withdrawals
Yesha Council chairman Benzi Lieberman told Israel Radio on Thursday that several Likud ministers support the council’s plan to fight Sharon’s plan which includes possible unilateral withdrawals, and said that their identities would be revealed only if the plan is revealed next week.
Lieberman also told the radio that the he was told by cabinet ministers that Sharon in the upcoming days will announce his new diplomatic plan.
The council settlement movement convened in the Gaza Strip settlement of Neveh Dekalim for an emergency meeting to discuss the latest statements by Sharon and his deputy, Ehud Olmert on unilateral withdrawals and relocation of communities.
The council said that a prime minister who evacuated settlements would not remain in office, Channel One reported.
According to Army Radio, the settler leaders discussed ways of preventing a government vote on the evacuation of outposts.
The settler leaders agreed to initiate a public relations media campaign and planned a series of demonstrations.
In a Knesset speech on Wednesday evening, Olmert confronted right-wing Knesset members who harshly criticized him for his support of unilateral withdrawals from areas in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. Olmert charged the right-wing MKs with hypocrisy.
"The radical right lives in a virtual reality," Olmert said. "We need to take the initiative. Rather than depend on Palestinian Authority Chairman Yasser Arafat's will to negotiate, we need to set the essential parameters for a solution. To do that, we must withdraw to a different border than the one we keep today," Olmert said, stressing that "painful compromises will have to be made, involving transfer of some settlers, because there is no other alternative."
Speaking to his fellow Likud Party colleagues, Olmert said "deep in our hearts we know the truth. There is no chance to reach an agreement that will not involve a compromise, which involves both sides relinquishing some of their demands. A compromise will involve an Israeli withdrawal from some territories, as well as a Palestinian relinquishing of demands and of dreams."
Deputy PM Olmert pauses during an interview on Thursday in Tel Aviv. (AP)
© Copyright 2003 Haaretz. All rights reserved
The Israeli radical right is small, but is hugely overrepresented on Free Republic.
The council said that a prime minister who evacuated settlements would not remain in office, Channel One reported.
Israel is a democracy. The support, if polls are to be believed, for unilateral separation is overwhelming. Methinks the Yesha Council grossly overestimates it's power and influence.
Israel had to be prepared to take action on its own if peace talks with the Palestinians fail, something he regards as inevitable.
However, Palestinian Prime Minister Ahmed Qureia warned Thursday that such unilateral steps would only increase the bloodshed.
Olmert and Prime Minister Ariel Sharon have been talking in recent days about pulling out of parts of the territories Israel captured in the 1967 war.
If Israel retains land the palestinians threaten to kill.
If Israel surrenders land the palestinians threaten to kill.
At some point even the most stupid are going to realize that all they want to do is kill us.
I agree with you 100%. Surprised? Don't be.
By unilateral separation here is what I mean:
It comes down to this: Israel cannot survive as a deomcracy and, perhaps more importantly, as a Jewish state without a Jewish majority. Ruling over 3.5 million hostile Arabs against their will doesn't work. We've seen the results in hundreds and hundreds of dead and thousands of maimed Israelis. There comes a point where you have to say "ENOUGH!"
Negotiation doesn't work unless both sides want peace. Like you, I don't believe the Palestinians do. Fence them in like wild, dangerous animals and keep them away from Israelis. They can do whatever they want behind the fence, even declare a state. That's fine, because then an attack on Israel is an act of war by any international standard. Let them rot behind the fence or else come to the realisation that the only way to improve their lot is through compromise.
Not at all. I consider the Likud to be the equivalent of the Republicans in the U.S. The majority of Likud voters, if polls are to be believed, are very supportive of both Prime Minister Sharon and Minister Olmert.
Let's put it this way: I voted for Ronald Reagan. I voted for George Bush (the first one). I would never, in a million years, have voted for Pat Robertson. I am certain you understand the difference.
I beg to differ with you. We are barely the most minute tip of a huge iceberg. You can not take The Law out of a Jew and still call it a Jew.
Sorry, no, you're right, we disagree. 70% of Israel's population is secular. They are still Jews. Jew for 2,000 years meant an ethnic and national identity. The creation of the State of Israel really didn't change that. I can be a traditionalist in terms of my practice (I am a masorti conservative Jew) and believe that Jewish ethics and morals have tremendous value and are even devinely inspired. I do not believe scripture to be the literal word of G-d but rather man's best attempt at the time to understand what G-d wanted of us. Man's understanding is always flawed.
Actually, we are very UNDER represented here. It's just we're so good, y'know?
Unless you are an Israeli you don't have a vote where it matters. Even in America the fundamentalist Christians are a small minority (perhaps 20% of the population at most) and orthodox Jews represent just 17% of the Jewish population.
I'll go farther and anger you more: Religious fanatacism, whether it is Islamic, Jewish, or Christian, makes the conflict impossible to resolve EVER. It just leads to more bloodshed. Again, sorry, no.
Borders can be closed if necessary, and Israel could forcefully respond to attacks from foreign territory.
There is no negotiating partner on the horizon, and Israel isn’t going to expel the Palestinian population from the territories. It’s the only solution at the present time.
If you'd like to be on or off this
Christian Supporters of Israel ping list,
please FR mail me. ~
There failed not ought of any good thing which the LORD had
spoken unto the house of Israel; all came to pass. (Joshua 21:45)
Letter To The President In Support Of Israel ~
'Final Solution,' Phase 2 ~
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.