Olmert: Installing shields not court's decision
Government alone - and by no means the courts - will decide where and how to install protective security systems, prime minister declares; Olmert also says Israel not considering any unilateral withdrawals from the West Bank: All moves will take place through direct negotiations, including with Syria
The government alone, and by no means the courts, will decide where and how to install protective security systems, Prime Minister Ehud Olmert declared Friday, adding that "if the government is wrong, it should be replaced."
Olmert was responding to the court's order to shield educational institutions in the Gaza perimeter by the start of the next school year.
The prime minister made the comments on a visit the Yifat kibbutz in the Galilee, during which he met with members of the Jezreel Valley region's Valley Parliament forum.
Olmert also brought up the possibility of withdrawing from parts of the West Bank, saying that Israel was not considering any unilateral withdrawals from the West Bank.
"In the end, there is no alternative to a long-term arrangement. Everyone understands that the State of Israel can't exist when the Jewish majority isn't ensured, and to ensure it we must make serious decisions, that can't be avoided," he said. "In the end the prices will be heavy, but the sooner we reach them the better."
"Right now we're now considering anything unilateral. Everything will have to be done alongside negotiations with the Palestinians, to reach an arrangement acceptable to both us and them," Olmert said.
Olmert further discussed the possibility of peace with Syria, saying he didn't rule out the fact that Syrian President Bashar Assad was genuinely interested in having peaceful relations with Israel, "but the only way is through direct negotiations. I very much hope he considers things seriously."
Assad has expressed interested in contacts with Israel but only through the United States and on the precondition that Israel gives up the Golan Heights.
Olmert's comments Friday were the first time he issued a response to the Assad made when he was sworn into office for a second seven-year term on Tuesday.
Olmert reiterated his stance, which supports direct negotiations with Syria without American involvement and with no preconditions.
"I want to make peace with any Arab country, and I want to do it through direct negotiations. That's how it was with Egypt and with Jordan. The Syrian president knows my stance. How can I be sure? Because he said so.
"When he says Israel needs to withdraw to the June 4, 1967 lines – that is setting a precondition. I can't make any commitments before negotiating."
Answering a question on the situation in the Gaza Strip, Olmert ruled out a widespread military operation there, but promised that the situation in the Strip would not deteriorate to resemble the situation in south Lebanon.
"I have no intention of closing my eyes, like Israel closed its eyes on Lebanon. We must deal with (Gaza) wisely; I don't think mass military force is the right way. I don't think the current circumstances justify such an offensive," Olmert said.
