Olmert rejects Gaza op as Israel opens talks with Palestinians

Headline News

Monday, January 14, 2008 by Staff Writer

Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert told the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee on Monday that, notwithstanding the situation in Gaza, he will not approve the broad military action being advocated by security experts.

Olmert's decision came despite his aides revealing at the weekend that US President George W. Bush had given Israel a green light to invade Gaza when he was visiting the region last week.

Olmert said he believes that the political price Israel would pay to defend the residents of the southern Negev region from ongoing terrorist rocket fire from Gaza would be too high.

Meanwhile, Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni held the first in a long series of talks with lead Palestinian negotiator Ahmed Qureia aimed at reaching agreements on the core issues preventing the signing of a final status Israeli-Palestinian peace agreement.

The main sticking points are the Palestinians demands that Israel surrender the half of Jerusalem previously occupied by Jordan and that Israel open its borders to millions of so-called Palestinian refugees.

When he visited the region last week, US President George W. Bush insisted that Israel and the Palestinians immediately begin intense non-stop negotiations in order to reach an agreement by the end of his term a year from now.

Speaking to Israel's Ynet news portal, Livni defended her meeting with Palestinian officials even as Palestinian forces continue to attack Israelis.

Livni said that she prefers to believe the conflict is a national one only, which can be solved by hammering out an agreement resulting in two states west of the Jordan River, rather than a religious one to which there is no solution.

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[22] COMMENTS:

1 .

Humanism..

the false teaching in the US that we should tolerate everyone and everyones lifestyles and religions, etc.
They''ve taken the Bible out of schools and replaced it with humanism, false teachings.

Joyce S

1/25/2008 8:09 AM

2 .

to:Mark N.

The US will ''learn'' immediately after the Rapture and the great delusion, but by then,,,it is going to be too late:-) But, all the other nations will be in the very same boat[which comes with no paddles], made out of counterfeit benjamins and duct tape:-) Father is not pleased with the conduct of any nation on earth at this time, so,,,batton down the hatches,,tighten up the seals,,keep your lamp brim full, and seek His Face constantly for we are in for the Ride of an Eternity, Toot toot,,Ya''ll Come!!

Dave-BNBIH

1/23/2008 9:00 AM

3 .

Of course its Iran

And Syria,and Saudi Arabia. the weapons come both from China,Russia and Yes..the United States. We make these moronic pacts with these damn Arab countries thinking they are going to be our friends and give them millions in economic and military aid.
In fact alot of the $$$ we give these countries goes to Russia and China to buy arms.
When is the US going to learn....

Mark N.

1/16/2008 7:47 PM

4 .

Agree with FRANK

Agree with what you say Frank, everyone thinks it''s Iran causing the trouble but I believe Saudi Arabia makes all the bullets for the others like Iran to fire. Have read the book ''Judgement Day'' by Dave Hunt. It is excellent and would recommend it to all

Chris UK

1/16/2008 7:00 PM

5 .

Shalom Sheelah!!

And God Bless!! :-)
glad to be on the same side as you....

Mark N.

1/15/2008 10:41 PM

6 .

Mark

Mark you are right on I only lived in Saudi for a year but we were in the oil bisiness. If we could at least get some of our oil from Anwar and the Gulf we would not be dependent on OPEC and could tell them to go away or what ever. Praise God He will return soon.I was gifted with a love for Isreal in 1977 when I learned from a friend that was sent to Yerusalem. The situation is in G-Ds capable Hands Shalom

Sheelah

1/15/2008 10:21 PM

7 .

To Mark N

You are so right about Saudi Arabia!!! I have said the same thing for years now. In the 80''s I was living on a kibbutz in Israel and during that time on at least three occasions King Saud called for a jihad against Israel and said "all of the weapons in the Saudi arsenal were at the disposal of anyone who would use them against Israel. Good friend huh! In 1982 when Israel went into Lebanon, they captured tons of weapons still in their crates that had been sold by America to the Saudi''s and then transferred to the PLO. I was angry with our government for selling AWACS to the Saudi''s, but they didn''t hinder Israel when they passed over Saudi Arabia on their way to bomb the reactor in Bagdad! Speaking of good books, Judgment Day by Dave Hunt is excellent. God bless. Shalom

FRANK

1/15/2008 10:21 PM

8 .

Olmert

Olmert will be ousted, just give it time.
Anyone with half a brain understands that IF, there ever is a so called "Palestinian state" all it will be is a setting ground to build forces to attack Israel. Another problem we all tend to forget is where the money comes from.
Can you say Iran,Saudi Arabia...yest Washington thinks that the Saudis are our friends.
The stupidity in Washington never ceases to amaze me. the United States is so ignorant on foreign policy with the Islamic world it is really quiet pathetic. My father being from Pakistan(a coverted Christian and has lived here for 52 years,my mother is American) they just celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary/Well anyway, I have some knowledge of the Islamic mind,though Im Christian(thank God for that) most of you here havet a clue what these folks are all about. My father and I always find it funny how pathetic the US is in dealing with these idiots. there making a mockery of this nation.
If ,most here even had a 10th of the knowledge

Mark N.

1/15/2008 3:04 PM

9 .

T-Ham - I will look that up..Thanks

Always doing my research on the Middle East, so one more book cant hurt.

Mark N.

1/15/2008 2:50 PM

10 .

Mark N

I recently read a book you may find interesting "Civilization and It''s Enemies", by Lee Harris, ISBN 0743257499. It speaks to many of the points you bring up. I won''t go into a review, look it up on the web and read the publishers description and reviews. You might not agree with it all but it''s worth the read. Besides, reading wouldn''t be very interesting if we agreed with everything.

t-ham

1/15/2008 1:20 PM

11 .

Political Price

Since Bush, gave the green light for Israel to invade Gaza. Then, I don''t see how they would be paying a high political price, for defending their people, from the terrorist rocket fire from Gaza. And who is it, that Olmert is worried about offending anyway? Since they don''t really, have very many friends except the US. So what Olmert said, doesn''t even make any sense, he''s already going to be paying a high political price, if he divides Jerusalem.

Joyce W.

1/15/2008 9:37 AM

12 .

God in charge

Olmert thinks that he is in charge...in fact The Almighty God of Israel is in Charge. Ever since Israel asked God for a king, He had let them to do their own devise until they were in extreme grave danger, or until the king returned to God. Now it seems that Olmert is straying from the purpose of God for Israel and therefore he must be careful what he is doing. In Jewish history, every leader that continued to disobey The Lord was deposed of in a very sad manner even death in a horrible way. It seems that God has His mercy flowing still on Olmert and is giving him time to repent..May he do so soon for the sake of innocent lives.

Kent

1/15/2008 7:57 AM

13 .

olmert

olmert is a blithering IDIOT & will soon be deposed!

Rod

1/15/2008 7:47 AM

14 .

Olmert

I think this is a good decision, although I don''t necessarily agree with all provisions of the peace deal, and it certainly takes guts for a leader, in the face of blistering public opinion, to stay the course. Good for Olmert to assert himself, because he is still in control of the country, for now.

Christian Socialist

1/15/2008 7:27 AM

15 .

One Rocket Too Many, One Politician Too Few

Imagine what would happen if a Palestinian State is being d.

Israel will face more rocket and missile attacks - rockets from Gaza - Hamas group, rockets from East Jerusalem - Fatah militant groups and
Missiles from Lebanon - Hizballah group
All supported by "big brothers" from Egypt, Jordan, Iran and the rest.

They have lost big wars to Israel before, but they will small wars now - a psychological warfare to stir up Israelis and the country

Maybe George Bush should spend his retirement days in Israel to receive all these rockets and missiles as he wants to be the hero in the negotiations.

Ran

1/15/2008 12:54 AM

16 .

I`d vote for Mark N.

Why is it that normal,everyday people like ourselves can realise what`s going on,yet the powers that be do nothing except appease islam and its` army of hate ? Well said Mark N,God bless you and Israel.

H.Hodges

1/15/2008 12:51 AM

17 .

Peace treaties

I am always amazed at how diplomats think they are so bright. The Palestinian have never kept any part of any peace treaty with Israel, in the past, so why do they think they will change? Their only objective is to regroup and rearm.

William G.

1/15/2008 12:46 AM

18 .

I have said it for years on end pt.2...

Allow Israel to defend herself and take the war to the enemy if necessary, go into Syria,lebanon and the Gaza and take names.
And tell Iran or any other Islamic nation that hates Israel that for every nuclear weapon it makes, we are making 100 in turn and they will all be pointed at them. Send a clear message, because history has proven that the only language these idiots understand is a bullet in the forehead.

Mark N.

1/14/2008 11:40 PM

19 .

I have said for years on end...

That Israel better be careful of how it handles foreign policy in dealing with their enemies. If not careful, they will become like the US and end up loosing wars because of it. Since Korea, the US military has been dictated to by corrupt officials in Washington that are in bed with the folks at the UN. We are not allowed to win wars anymore, and Washington thinks that through appeasment and money, the Islamic world will start liking us.
IT WILL NEVER HAPPEN
Stay with Israel, and support her all the way, not part of the way. ALL THE WAY.
Get out of the UN, and turn the UN building into a parking lot. Then we can start making some progress.

Mark N.

1/14/2008 11:34 PM

20 .

Livni

Livni should take her head out of the sand and smell the coffee, along with Bush, Rice, Olmert et al! It is very definitely a spiritual war. God in His word made distinct promises to Israel and the Jews. Satan will use whatever and whoever to try and get God to break those promises! We know the outcome and I pity those who are opposing Gods plans for His people! Shalom

FRANK

1/14/2008 10:45 PM

21 .

Thoughts

Bush has some nerve. He "insists" negotiations reach an agreement before his term is up? Blind, foolish, selfish, arrogant man.

Olmert needs to be a man and untie the hands of the IDF.

The ludicrous "right of return" is a sick joke and, should Israel be insane enough to even consider a partial compromise on that issue, would be the deathknell of Israel.

Why is it that every time I read about the Israel/Arab conflict, I always feel like I''m listening to an adult arguing with a spoiled child.

t-ham

1/14/2008 9:52 PM

22 .

Cost too high

So Mr Olmert''s people are not as important as world opinion of him, ye right.

Dennis (NZ)

1/14/2008 9:50 PM