Olmert says he was 'within whisker' of peace with the Palestinians

[bemildred]

As his term in office officially comes to a close, Israel's premier said on Wednesday that his government was close to a historic breakthrough in peace negotiations with the country's Arab neighbors.

"I was within a whisker of an agreement with the Palestinians," outgoing Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said during a visit to a brewery in Ashkelon."

The distance to such an agreement is not big, but time is not infinite," Olmert said. "If we do not act quickly and make fateful decisions and overcome the difficulties, the state will not be able to embark on a path of development, domestic might, and prosperity."

Olmert said Israel's most vexing challenge is the Palestinian question. "The leader who will have the courage to bring forth a decision on this issue will serve as prime minister not just for one term, but for as many as he or she wishes," Olmert said. "We need first and foremost to reach a decision and then to nail down everything to the last detail and not to let this linger and dawdle."

http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1066926.html

[IndianaGreen]

1. Hitting the bottle, Ehud?

What a line a bullshit! He has the other Ehud (Barak) beat with mendacity.

[ConcernedCanuk]

2. Blowing up civilians. women and children(most with no whiskers) sorta distanced ya from peace there

.
.
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The firebombing of Gaza was pure genocide

nothing defensive about it at all

"collateral damage" my ass

Israel killed FAMILIES!!

[azurnoir]

3. I know its

Aliens that's it the real Ehud was abducted and replaced, now if they just come back for Bibi:sarcasm:

[Idealism]

4. What good does any inadequate proposal Olmert throws together do

if Bibi gets into office and ignores the agreement?

[azurnoir]

5. Hamas has until Likud takes over to cut Shalit deal

Ofer Dekel, Israel's negotiator for prisoner exchanges, is set to land in Cairo soon to meet with Egyptian general Omar Suleiman. The two will discuss a deal to release abducted Israel Defense Forces soldier Gilad Shalit.

The officials warned Tuesday that it would be more difficult to reach an agreement with the next government, which will most likely be formed by the right-wing Likud, that includes opening the Gaza Strip borders, which have been sealed since Hamas took control by force in 2007.

"Hamas must understand it has until mid-March to cut a deal," one said.

http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1066822.html

[iconicgnom]

6. How long does Likud to cut a deal over all the Palestinian prisoners?

Hmmm?