Olmert talks tough on Hamas

Olmert says Israeli response to Hamas will render it incapable of operating against Israelis; PM adds that understandings with Palestinians can be reached this year, but implementation of agreement will have to wait
Roni sofer

Tough talk: Hamas is responsible for terror originating in the Gaza Strip and will be paying the "unavoidable consequences" for its actions, Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said Thursday evening at a Kadima party toast.

"We don't care which terrorist is a member of which organization," the PM said. "Hamas is the one running the show in Gaza these days."

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"I promise you that the response to Hamas would be such that Hamas will be unable to continue operating against Israel's citizens," Olmert said.

PM hopeful on peace talks progress

Turning his attention to ongoing peace talks with the Palestinian Authority, the prime minister said that it is possible to reach, as early as this year, understandings that would ultimately lead to a peace agreement with the Palestinians.

There are no important issues that Israel is unwilling to discuss with the Palestinians, Olmert said.

"We are well aware of the important issues we should safeguard and we do not need lessons from anyone, and certainly not from our Opposition rivals," the prime minister said. "Nobody can teach me or Kadima ministers something about the status, significance, and symbolism of Jerusalem as Israel's capital."

However, the PM stressed that he believes there is no chance to implement any kind of agreement in the near future.

"Once we reach understandings, we will insist on all the demands outlined in the Road Map, first and foremost an end to terror, as the condition for the implementation of any understanding," he said. "Yet the first step that creates a horizon of hope both for us and for the Palestinians can be taken, should be taken, and we will make every effort in order to succeed in the course of this year."