Prime Minister Ehud Olmert
began his vacation at a zimmer (wooden cabin) in the north of Israel
on Monday, accompanied by his wife Aliza and friends: Former Knesset Member Eti Livni and her husband Yitzhak, as well as Professor Shlomo Breznitz and his wife Zvia.
Olmert and company have not sparked much interest among the residents of the Golan Heights town in which they plan to stay. The hesitant residents merely expressed the hope that, in contrast to past years, this year their lives will not be disrupted by the roadblocks set up in honor of the visiting prime minister.
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| No threat to Olmert’s vacation / Roni Sofer |
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PM can take a break knowing he faces no immediate security, political threats |
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In light of the press reports
about indirect contact possibly occurring between Israel and Syria,
as well as Syrian President Bashar Assad's covert threats of escalation if peace negotiations do not produce results; one resident asked, "Did the prime minister come to study the area in order to formulate some kind of plan?"
Olmert arrives at vacation spot (Photo: Avihu Shapira)
Olmert will continue to receive updates and take care of urgent issues during his vacation, which is scheduled to end on Thursday. Some of his employees were also granted leave, and the Prime Minister's Office is scheduled to operate according to holiday procedure.
The prime minister will stay in the zimmer under heavy guard, but has announced plans to undertake a short hike.
During the two years of his term, Olmert has already vacationed twice in different but equally secluded places the north, in 2006 and 2007. This year he has also chosen a small and private town where he can avoid harming the daily lives of the residents and the vacationing families as much as possible.
Olmert and company will be able to enjoy a great wealth of attractions offered by the northern Galilee and the Golan Heights, such as tractor rides, biking, sailing, hikes, archaeological sites, nature reserves, flowering orchards and the luxuries offered by his hosts.
Roni Sofer contributed to this article
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