Olmert 'absolutely determined' about realignment

VIDEO - Prime Minister, Ehud Olmert, said that it is still his intention to promote the Realignment plan, despite recent security tensions in Gaza. Olmert said that he is firm in his belief of the realignment plan as the strongest measure with which to promote processes in the Middle East, in a yearly press conference of foreign journalists in Jerusalem. "I have not changed my mind about the plan following the events in recent days and am still decisive about continuing towards an ultimate separation from the Palestinians and towards solid, secure borders recognized by the international community," he added. Olmert said Israeli citizens have not had a single day of calm since Israel withdrew from Gaza last summer. PM slams EU The PM said Palestinian terror groups have been seeking to kill innocent Israeli civilians since the pullout from Gaza. "Israeli citizens have the right to security, and the Palestinians have the right to live in security," Olmert told foreign reporters. "When was the last time that the European Union condemned this shooting and suggested effective measures to stop it?" the PM asked. "At some point, Israel had no point but to take some measures in order to stop this thing." Olmert said the Gaza operation Israel launched on June 28, three days after Palestinian terrorists abducted Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit in a cross-border raid, would continue indefinitely. "We haven't set a particular timetable for this operation. It will continue in places, in times, in different measures that will suit the purposes that were outlined," he said, repeating remarks he made on Sunday at the weekly meeting of his cabinet. 'Israel not trying to topple Hamas' Olmert reiterated he would not negotiate with the governing Hamas movement for the release of Corporal Gilad Shalit. Terrorists from the group, along with gunmen from two other factions, kidnapped the 19-year-old tank gunner. "I will not release prisoners for the trade of Corporal Gilad Shalit to Hamas," Olmert said. Olmert also stated that Israel was not trying to bring down the Hamas-led government despite recent arrests of dozens of Hamas ministers and legislators and the Israeli offensive in the Gaza Strip. "We have no particular desire to topple the Hamas government as a policy. We have a desire to prevent terrorists from inflicting terrorism on the Israeli people," Olmert told the reporters. He said that the Hamas detainees were suspected of involvement in attacks. Reuters contributed to the report

Olmert 'absolutely determined' about realignment

(VIDEO) Speaking to foreign reporters in Jerusalem, Prime Minister Olmert says Israeli citizens have not had single day of calm since Israel withdrew from Gaza last summer, but states he is still determined to carry out his realignment plan