Olmert: Cede Jerusalem, keep Israel
Outgoing Premier Ehud Olmert says Israel's existence depends on returning East Jerusalem (al-Quds) and other territories to Palestinians.
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Outgoing Premier Ehud Olmert says Israel's existence depends on returning East Jerusalem (al-Quds) and other territories to Palestinians.
"If we are determined to maintain a Jewish and democratic Israel, we must concede parts of the homeland we have prayed for and dreamt of for generations, as well as Arab neighborhoods in Jerusalem, and return to the State of Israel in 1967 with amendments," Olmert said at a ceremony held on Monday to commemorate slain Israeli Premier Yitzhak Rabin.
"The decision must be made now. The moment of truth is here. There is no escape. It can be missed. If, God forbid, we stall, we will lose the support for the two-state idea. There is no need to elaborate on the alternative," he was quoted by the Israeli daily Yediot Aharonot as saying.
Olmert had earlier said that the dream of Greater Israel -a homeland for the Jewish people from the Nile to Euphrates- which inspired the founding fathers of Zionism, was already dead.
His remarks, however, are expected to spark anger among right wing parties. The Shas Party and other right wing factions had earlier refused to join a Kadima-led coalition in protest at the party's policy of negotiating the future of Jerusalem (al-Quds). Prime Minister designate Tzipi Livini failed to form a cabinet within the legal deadline following the move.
Israel captured and annexed East Jerusalem in the 1967Six Day War. The United Nations and other international bodies, however, condemned the move.
The issue of Jerusalem and the territories Israel annexed in the Middle East wars, has been among the thorny issues of the Israeli-Arab conflict.
SB/MMN
"If we are determined to maintain a Jewish and democratic Israel, we must concede parts of the homeland we have prayed for and dreamt of for generations, as well as Arab neighborhoods in Jerusalem, and return to the State of Israel in 1967 with amendments," Olmert said at a ceremony held on Monday to commemorate slain Israeli Premier Yitzhak Rabin.
"The decision must be made now. The moment of truth is here. There is no escape. It can be missed. If, God forbid, we stall, we will lose the support for the two-state idea. There is no need to elaborate on the alternative," he was quoted by the Israeli daily Yediot Aharonot as saying.
Olmert had earlier said that the dream of Greater Israel -a homeland for the Jewish people from the Nile to Euphrates- which inspired the founding fathers of Zionism, was already dead.
His remarks, however, are expected to spark anger among right wing parties. The Shas Party and other right wing factions had earlier refused to join a Kadima-led coalition in protest at the party's policy of negotiating the future of Jerusalem (al-Quds). Prime Minister designate Tzipi Livini failed to form a cabinet within the legal deadline following the move.
Israel captured and annexed East Jerusalem in the 1967Six Day War. The United Nations and other international bodies, however, condemned the move.
The issue of Jerusalem and the territories Israel annexed in the Middle East wars, has been among the thorny issues of the Israeli-Arab conflict.
SB/MMN
Source: Press TV
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