Israel Matzav

Olmert caves again

Ehud Olmert, who for months said that he would not meet with 'moderate' 'Palestinian President' Mahmoud Abbas Abu Mazen until kidnapped IDF Corporal Gilad Shalit is released from captivity, is meeting tonight with Abu Mazen in Jerusalem. A 'detailed statement' will be issued after the meeting, since the media is not being allowed to attend.

Earlier today, the Jerusalem Post reported that

Aides to both Olmert and Abbas said that negotiations continued regarding the steps necessary to secure the release of kidnapped IDF Cpl. Gilad Shalit in exchange for Palestinian security prisoners. [In other words, we are going to exchange about 1000 terrorists for Shalit. That's really going to discourage the 'Palestinians' from doing the same thing again in the future. CiJ]

Israel insists that no meeting between the two leaders take place before Shalit is released, or "at least" that Shalit be freed as the summit takes place. [So much for Israel's 'insistence.' There is no sign that Shalit is going to be released. CiJ]

But here's Abu Mazen mouthing trying to mouth the right words:

In a related development, Abbas said Saturday in Ramallah that he opposed Hamas's offer to Israel of a hudna (cease-fire) of 10-20 years in exchange for a Palestinian state established along the 1967 borders.

Abbas said that it wasn't enough to negotiate temporary borders, and that the Palestinians had to begin long-term, inclusive negotiations with Israel on all the pertinent issues, including final borders and right of return for Palestinian refugees.

Yeah, we're going to get real far discussing the 'right of return' for 'Palestinian refugees.'

/sarcasm

posted by Carl in Jerusalem @ 8:29 PM