Rightist: Olmert's speech a Hamas victory

Statements of PM Olmert in memorial ceremony for Ben Gurion trigger harsh responses from right, left. MK Hendel calls Lieberman, Yishai to quit government so not to 'betray voters.' MK Gal-On: Great statements, failed actions

Ilan Marciano|Published: 11.27.06 , 16:16

The words of Prime Minister Ehud Olmert Monday morning at the memorial ceremony for David Ben-Gurion in Sdeh Boker that Israel is willing to give many lands to a Palestinian state continue to draw fire from all ranges of the political spectrum.

MK Yuval Steinitz (Likud) slammed Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's call on the Palestinians to renounce violence and engage in peace talks with Israel, claiming that his overtures signal the "end of Israel's tradition of fighting terror decisively. The prime minister is offering hills and mountains … to a Hamas government and parliament, which breached all agreements and ceasefires," he said.

Olmert's Speech

Olmert: Willing to give up land for real peace

Anat Bereshkovsky

Prime minister calls on Authority to choose 'new path' of negotiations, saying Israel ready to give Palestinians a state, release prisoners and evacuate many territories

Olmert: Willing to give up land for real peace

MK Zehava Gal-On (Meretz) said that Olmert will be judged based on his actions not on his words.

"Olmert's statements are great, but his actions have failed. What will kill the ceasefire is political stalemate and as such Olmert must act now and meet with Abbas," Gal-On said.

Knesset Member Zvi Hendel (National Unity – NRP) said in reaction that "I have no expectations from someone with no moral standing that during a war wad murderous threats is not ashamed to promise the enemy the expulsion of all settlers and creation of a terror state. I expect Minister Avigdor Lieberman and Minister Yishai that they will not betray their voters and quit Olmert's cabinet table now," he said.

Minister Eitan Cabel (Labor) referred to the speech of Prime Minister Olmert and said that the speech is important and brave. "Just like three years ago Former Prime Minister Ariel Sharon announced the disengagement plan, I hope this speech will prove to be the beginning of a direct process of negotiations with the Palestinians. PM Olmert has accepted the working concept of talks and I congratulate him on that," Cabel said.

Olmert and Peres Monday during memorial ceremony (Photo: Amir Cohen)

Far right activist Baruch Marzel said that "the prime minister is a traitor and he is stupid," for saying that Israel will give Palestinians a state and many lands.

"It is amazing to see how this man does not learn from his mistakes and keeps bringing Israel to the brink of disaster," Marzel said.

During the speech, PM Olmert said that the Palestinian People in the West Bank and Gaza are at the cusp of a historical decision. "The terror, violence, murder, and the endless attacks on Israeli citizens could bring us closer to a new wave of horrible violence," Olmert said.

Vice Premier Shimon Peres said during the memorial service that "just like we cannot afford losing in war, we cannot lose an opportunity to make peace."