Olmert Says Israel Should Pull Out of West Bank
The New York Times reports Ehud Olmert’s announcement that in order to foster peace with the Palestinian people, Israel has to withdraw from land in the West Bank. If Israel chooses otherwise, then it is only fair that Palestine will have to get the same size land granted.
Olmert also announced that in no way will Israel attack Iran over its pursuit of nuclear technology.
As the prime minister begins to step down, he says that Israeli ideals must be changed. He speaks about the massive use of tanks, controlled land, and military power that Israel is so used to having and says these things must be changed in order to progress socially. Olmert admits that in order to have
peace with the Palestinians, they will need to “withdraw from almost all the territories, if not all the territories”. He says that the Israelis will need to give a percentage of their land to the Palestinians so as to be fair when dividing up controlled territories.
Some Israeli groups do not agree with the resolution tactics Olmert has recently been voicing. Some also say that he should have taken this position while he was still in office, since he had never given a detailed explanation of Israel’s next moves to integrate the border with Palestine and Israel. Because he has stepped down from position, skeptics say that Olmert will now be unable to finish the peace negotiation process between Israel and Palestine.
Roopa Radhakrishnan
