77% of Israelis unsatisfied with Olmert

According to a survey carried out by the Dahaf institute, 77% of Israelis are unsatisfied with the performance of Prime Minister, Ehud Olmert. The survey encompassed 420 interviewese and these are the results:

Only 23% said that Olmert's performance is "Good" or "Excellent".

69% responded that Olmert's leadership ability is poor.

62% said that Olmert does not handle pressure well.

74% answered that Olmert's decision making capabilities are not good.

60% do not appreciate Olmert's character in terms of honesty.

Olmert suffered great criticism and a plummet in public opinion of him after the war with Hezbollah last summer and various corruption scandals in which he was supposedly involved.

Gilad Shalit is close to being released

Kidnapped Israeli soldier, Gilad Shalit, who is being held captive for the past six months by Hamas in Gaza is to be released soon, according to Palestinian media.

The deal shall be announced in the forthcoming meeting between Ehud Olmert and Abu Mazen which is scheduled for this Thursday. According to the Palestinian media report, in the first stage, Hamas will deliver a tape proving that Shalit is alive and Israel will release several hundreds low scale Palestinian prisoners. Afterwards, Shalit will be delivered to Egyptian hands and Israel will release higher scale prisoners in return.

Ehud Olmert's spokesperson said that no breakthrough has been reached.

Olmert adresses graudates of IAF

In the graduation ceremony of the new pilots of the Israeli Air Force (IAF), Prime Minister, Ehud Olmert, spoke of Israel's desire for peace.

Olmert said that Israel remains attentive to any peace overture or threat made by neighbouring countries.

Olmert went on to say that if Israel's neighbours truly desire peace they will find a partner in Israel.

Olmert stressed that any form of peace is dependant upon Israel's strength and military capabilities.

Olmert authorized action against rocket launchers

Following yesterday's rocket attack in which two teenagers were hurt, one of them critically, Prime Minister Olmert and Security Minisert Peretz authorized use of force against rocket launchers.

Israel has not responded towards rocket launches from the Gaza Strip since the ceasefire was declared a month and a half ago. In the past few days the launches increased in number and yesterday took their human toll.

The IDF and other security forces have been given leave to act against the rocket launchers specifically but otherwise to maintain the ceasefire with the Palestinians.

Olmert wishes to maintain a relative calm in order to keep Hamas out of the fighting. Islamic Jihad is responsible for the 60 rockets which were launched since the ceasefire was proclaimed.

IDF does not fire upon Qassma launchers

The Israeli Negev had its 51 Qassam rocket impact this morning since the beginning of the ceasefire between Israel and the Palestinians over a month ago. Israel has not responded to these breaches of the ceasefire in the hope that Abu Mazen will be able to enforce it, but to little avail so far.
Several cabinet ministers displayed anger and frustration over Israel's policy and the Palestinian rocket launches. Security Minister, Amir Peretz, reported that IDF troops do not fire upon rocket launchers in Gaza even when they spot them setting up. Peretz said that there is no proof that the restraint Israel is showing is helping the moderate Palestinians.
A few more ministers expressed opposition to the restraint policy saying that Israel cannot be made a laughing stock and that Israel should take steps to ensure the security of its citizens.
Prime Minister Olmert reported that in his meeting with Abu Mazen, last night, he told the Palestinian President that Israel's policy may indeed change if the rockets launches will continue.

Olmert and Abu Mazen met this evening

Israel's Prime Minister, Ehud Olmert and Palestinian President Abu Mazen, met this evening in Jerusalem. The meeting lasted two hours and was considered "good" by the aides of both leaders. Abu Mazen's spokesman said that agreements were reached on several issues. The two discussed the possibility of a prisoners release in exchange for kidnapped Israeli soldier, Gilad Shalit, the ceasefire and the internal Palestinian situation.

Saib Arikat, a high ranking Palestinian official went further and announced that Israel will deliver 100 million dollars of frozen Palestinian funds to Abu Mazen and that additional meetings are due.

This meeting was long due, as both leaders expressed their desire for a meeting over the past few months. Why it took this long is anyone's guess. Recently, several figures in the international community urged both leaders to meet and talk.

This meeting was highly criticized by Hamas who does not recognize Israel.

Assad and Olmert deny any letter

The letter which Syrian President, Bashar Assad, supposedly sent to Israeli PM, Ehud Olmert in which he urged him to begin negotiations without any preliminary conditions and promised to restrain Hamas and to stop weapon smuggling to Hezbollah through Syria, simply did not exist.
Both Olmert and Assad denied any such letter. Olmert was the first to deny it through his aides earlier this morning and he was backed by Assad this evening while on a state visit to Russia.
The "letter" was reported by Arab television this morning and aroused enthusiastic responses in the Israeli political arena.
Throughout the day analysts doubted the existence of such a letter as it appeared that Assad would never have promised so much before negotiations even begun.


(editorial note: I would appreciate it if you, the reader, would take the time to participate in the Webpoll I published on the right hand side of this blog)

Olmert met with King Abdullah

PM Olmert met with Jordan's king Abdullah secretly in Amman. The two discussed the frozen peace process between Israel and the Palestinians and the need to get it going once again.

Abdullah is concerned that a deterioration in the situation in the West Bank may start a surge of refugees to his realm. Jordan has a large population of Palestinians and the regime is worried that more will destabilize its control.

Abdullah called on Israel to examine favorably the initiative of the Arab League which called for a complete peaceful solution of the Arab-Israeli conflict. Abdullah expressed support of the establishment of a Palestinian state and said that it is the only solution that will bring peace and stability for the entire region.

The two also discussed trade issues between Israel and Jordan.

Jordan and Israel signed a peace treaty in 1994.

(editorial note: I posted a Webpoll on the right hand side of the blog and would appreciate your participation)

Olmert: We desire peace, Syria does not

In a meeting today with several members of the American Congress, PM Olmert responded to recent Syrian peace overtures. Olmert said that he wishes for peace with Syria, but Syria continues to support extremists in Lebanon and Iraq, hosts terrorists in Damascus and is an ally of Iran.

Olmert said he wishes to meet with Abu Mazen in the near future and that Israel maintains the ceasefire with the Palestinians despite repeated rocket launches by the latter.

The members of Congress expressed disapproval of negotiations with Syria at this time and the necessity of isolating Iran. Olmert called for sanctions on Iran who is trying to acquire weapons of mass destruction and wishes to wipe Israel off the map.

Abu Mazen calls for Olmert to meet with him

In a meeting with British PM, Tony Blair, Palestinian President, Abu Mazen, called for PM Olmert to meet with him in order to resume talks to bring about the end of the conflict between Israel and the palestinians. Abu Mazen said that only peace will ensure stability and quiet. Abu Mazen asked Blair to support efforts to bring about the release of Palestinian prisoners held in Israel.

Abu Mazen called the palestinian factions to maintain the ceasefire which was proclaimed yesterday (even though fighting continued today in various locations) but said that regardless of it, the elections will be held at an earlier than planned date.

PM Blair said that his government will not negotiate with the Hamas government and that Hamas knows the way to international acceptance. Blair thanked Abu Mazen for his efforts to renew the peace process.

Blair is to meet with Israeli officials later today including FM Tzipi Livni, Security Minister, Amir Peretz, and PM Olmert.

No reason to hold negotiations with Syria

According to a top aide of PM, Ehud Olmert, there is not reason to hold negotiations with Syria at this time. The aide said that the preliminary conditions of Israel had already been passed to Syria which has done nothing towards fulfilling them. In fact, Syria is supposedly placing spokes in the wheels of the efforts to establish a national unity government in the Palestinian Territories and delivers arms to Hezbollah or does nothing to stop arms from flowing to the Lebanese terror group through its borders. The aide also doubted whether such negotiations will prompt Syria to sever its ties with Iran and allow its removal from Bush's Axis of Evil.
Olmert had earlier today expressed the view that Israel should not start negotiations with Syria when President Bush refuses to talk to Syria himself.



Editorial note: Syria was not originally a member of Bush's Axis of Evil

Olmert: Not to respond to Abu Mazen's speech

Israel's PM, Ehud Olmert, directed his cabinet ministers to refrain from responding or expressing their view regarding Abu Mazen's speech in which he announced his desire to call for an early election. Olmert said that any such response will only weaken Abu Mazen in the Palestinian arena as he is already accused by Hamas as a collaborator of Israel. Israel hopes that this move by Abu Mazen will prove a step in the path to renewed negotiations.

In internal news: former FM and runner up in the Likud primary, Silvan Shalom, gave an interview today in which he said that the Likud should hold an early primary and elect a new leader to rehabilitate the party which took a heavy beating in the last general elections. Shalom who lost the former primary to Benjamen Netanyahu, plans to run again.

Calls for sanctions against Israel

Ehud Olmert's "nuclear slip up" in an interview to German channel SAT1 on the eve of his European tour in which he supposedly admitted that Israel possesses nuclear weapons has raised calls for sanctions against Israel. The callers for sanctions have been Arab states which have ever been Israel's enemies.
Today the Iranian foreign ministry issued an announcement which stated that the zionist PM has admitted to possess nuclear weapons which proves the threat that the zionist regime poses.
Iran complained that while its civilian nuclear program is raising such worldwide antagonism, Israel's military one goes undenounced.
Olmert reiterated several times since the interview with SAT1 that Israel's position that it will not be the one to introduce nuclear weapons to the Middle East remains, and that no further public discussion of the matter is required.

Israel finds it harder and harder not to respond

In an interview with German reporters in Berlin, Israel's Prime Minister, Ehud Olmert said that it was harder and harder not to respond to Palestinian breaches of the ceasefire.

Yesterday, five Qassam rockets were launched from the Gaza Strip aimed at the Israeli city of Sderot. The rockets landed in open territory and caused no harm or injuries. Since the beginning of the ceasefire 23 rockets were launched by Palestinian militants from Gaza at Israel.

When asked whether Israel will respond, Olmert replied that he was aware how easy it would be to silde into overall violence and that was why Israel was restraining herself.

Olmert is visiting Germany as part of an all European diplomatic tour.

Peretz: Israel's ambiguity policy has not changed

On a tour of the West Bank today, Israel's Security Minister, Amir Peretz, stated that Israel's nuclear ambiguity policy has not changed. Peretz answered questions which arose due to an interview given yesterday by Ehud Olmert to German channel SAT1 in which he supposedly admitted that Israel possessed nuclear weapons. Olmert's staff was quick to deny that impression earlier today, but tempers in the local political arena are still wild over the Prime Minister's blunder.

Peretz said that Israel's position did not change and what is at stake is that the president of Iran threatens to destroy Israel and his country is developing a nuclear weapon. Peretz urged the International community to act and added that Israel shall not sit idly by.

Peretz reiterated the view that there are no apparent signs of an impending war with Syria.

Olmert breaks Israel's nuclear ambiguity

Israel's PM, Ehud Olmert, spoke today in an interview with German channel SAT1.

In the interview in what may have been an irresponsible slip of the tongue, Olmert broke Israel's nuclear ambiguity policy. It has been surmised that Israel possesses nuclear weapons, but Israel has never admitted or denied having that capability.

Olmert spoke of the Iranian nuclear program, and when asked whether the fact that Isreal had nuclear weapons weakened the western position vis-a-vis Iran, Olmert included Israel along other democratic countries like France, USA and Britain, making the point that the weapons themselves are not dangerous as long as the country holding it is reponsible. As Iran is threatening Israel with annihalation, it should not be allowed to develop nuclear arms. Olmert called on Germany to sever its ties with Iran.

Olmert's statement aroused great criticism in Israel political arena. The PM is on a diplomatic tour of Europe.

Olmert says that there are no sign of impending war

Shortly before embarking on a tour of Europe, Prime Minister, Ehud Olmert, said that he does not interpret several military steps taken by Syria as signs of impending war.

Yesterday, at the Israeli government's weekly meeting, the ministers heard reports that Syrian President, Bashar Assad, has ordered to increase development of long range missiles and that anti-tank missiles have been moved toward the border with Israel. Assad has expressed the view that if no progress is made to return the Golan Heights to Syria it will have to retake it by force. A number of reports in the Israeli media had stated that war with Syria may indeed break in the summer of 2007. Nevertheless, the intelligence presented to the ministers termed these reports as irresponsible.

Olmert also spoke about the Holocaust convention in Iran and said that it is a testament of its hatred and bigotry.

Olmert to meet with secretary Rice tomorrow

Israel's PM, Ehud Olmert, is scheduled to meet with American Secretary of State, Condoleezza Rice, tomorrow in Jerusalem. Rice is scheduled to meet with Palestinian president Abu Mazen (Mahmud Abas) earlier that same day.
Olmert and Rice are to discuss the way in which the Israeli-Palestinians negotiation may be restarted. Olmert's speech of two days ago in which he expressed that Israel would be willing to withdraw from large parts of the West Bank in return for a full and lasting peace is hoped to become the catalyst of a return to the table between the two sides.
The meeting between Olmert and Rice was not planned in advance as Olmert met with Rice during his visit to the United States two weeks ago.
A meeting between Olmert and Abu Mazen has yet to be scheduled while the ceasefire which was declared in the beginning of the week has already been broken a few times by Palestinian militants

Tzipi Livni appointed as Israel's minister of justice

Local News:
Israel's PM, Ehud Olmert, has decided to appoint Tzipi Livni as Israel's new minister of justice. Former minister of justice, Haim Ramon, resigned from his office due to accusations of sexual misconduct. His trial has reached the summation stage and will be decided during the following weeks. Livni already serves as Israel's foreign minister and will hold both offices. Livni has a perfectly clean public service record and many view her as a potential candidate for the prime ministerhood of Israel. Livni, formerly of the Likud party, followed Ariel Sharon when he left the Likud to establish the Kadima party in late 2005.

Head of Egypt's intelligence service visits Israel

Gen. Omar Suliman, head of Egypt's intelligence service, met today with Israel's security minister, Amir Peretz. The talks dealt primarily with the situation in the Gaza strip and continuing efforts to secure the release of abducted israeli soldier, Gilad Shalit. Shalit was abducted by palestinian militants of the Hamas organization a few months ago. Haled Mashal, one of the leaders of Hamas, visited Egypt earlier this week. At the moment Hamas is demanding the release of many prisoners in exchange for Shalit, a price Israel is reluctant to pay. Suliman and Peretz also discussed the ongoing smuggling operations taking place between the Siani desert and the Gaza strip. Egyptian forces guarding the border have not been able to seal it and great quantites of weapons and explosives have been smuggled by palestinian militants since Israel's withdrawl from Gaza in the summer of 2005. Suliman is also scheduled to meet with Israel's PM, Ehud Olmert, and the head of Mossad, Meir Dagan. In Israel, many politicians have expressed outrage at Egypt's ineffective control of the border with Gaza and believe that Egypt can do a lot more.