Israel Matzav

Ehud K. Olmert meeting with Saudis

The Sunday Times of London is reporting this morning that Israeli Prime Minister Ehud K. Olmert has met with Saudi Prince Bandar bin Sultan, the former ambassador to Washington and one of the closest advisers to King Abdullah, the Saudi ruler. The paper further reports that "will soon meet high-ranking Saudi officials to explore the formation of a group of moderate Arab countries to negotiate with Tel Aviv over the future of the Middle East." Someone had better start by telling them that our capital is Jerusalem.

Olmert is believed to be considering a Saudi initiative, endorsed by the Arab League four years ago, as the basis for a peace settlement.

This would include the establishment of an independent Palestinian state and could lead to a formal peace deal between Israel and seven Arab countries: Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, Oman, the Emirates, Morocco and Tunisia.

Note that this ignores the fact that the 'Saudi initiative' includes a 'right of return' for 'Palestinian refugees.' Perhaps that explains the following paragraph in the report:

However, an Israeli insider said: “The truth is that it was not Olmert’s own initiative but a dictate given to him last month when he met George W Bush and Condoleezza Rice in Washington.”

That's what I reported last week.... And it seems Olmert isn't only taking dictates from Condi Rice and George Bush....

An Arab source said: “The Saudis wanted to see Olmert commit publicly to what he promised Prince Bandar at the secret meeting in Amman.”

So why is Olmert seemingly allowing himself to be dragged along by anyone who tells him what to do? Here's the real reason:

Olmert, his reputation damaged by this summer’s war in Lebanon, is looking for a dramatic initiative to restore his image at home.

How many Jews will die restoring Olmert's image? Ehud K. Olmert, would you please go home NOW!

posted by Carl in Jerusalem @ 11:33 AM