Israel Matzav

Olmert: No Referendum

As I told you a couple of weeks ago, in an interview with the Jerusalem Post, Ehud Olmert said that he would not conduct a referendum on the future of Judea and Samaria. Tonight, Olmert says once again, no referendum. So get out and vote:

Acting Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said Wednesday that he won't wait years for Hamas to recognize Israel, a precondition for peace talks, and that he is prepared to take unilateral steps in the meantime. [Translation - the people who say that Olmert is going to make another unilateral withdrawal expulsion of Jews from their homes are correct. CiJ]

"We waited a reasonable time. If we see there is no reasonable chance (for a resumption of talks) we will take our fate in our own hands," Olmert said in a pre-election interview with Israel TV's Channel 10.

Olmert rejected the idea of putting his plan before a referendum when it is finalized. "The referendum is this Tuesday," election day, he said. "The whole political spectrum agrees with this. So I don't think we have to develop this idea of referendums."

"Only parties that would support this new agenda will be part our coalition," he said.

posted by Carl in Jerusalem @ 11:43 PM