'Tangible borders.' Olmert
Photo: GPO
Olmert: We have to be tough on terror
Prime minister addresses panel at Caesarea Forum, speaks of fight against terror, peace process. 'Differences aren't as acute as they were, but there is still a long way to go,' he says
"Israel's most pressing problem is that it has no borders. Not only physical ones; we lack them in general," said Prime Minister Ehud Olmert Thursday, during his speech at the annual Caesarea Forum, held in the southern Israeli city of Eilat.
Olmert spoke of Wednesday's terror attack and Israel's need to create tangible borders through a process of negotiation.
Aftermath
Prime minister summons series of meetings to discuss worrying pattern of east Jerusalem residents abusing residency rights to move freely into central Israel with intent of carrying out terror attacks. Deterrence must be achieved, says Olmert, 'and if we have to do it by demolishing homes – then so it shall be'
"We have a terror problem and we have to deal with it; we have to be tougher against those who commit acts of terror, especially when they come from within us… If we have to tear down homes, we will. If we have to cut off benefits, we will," he added.
As for the Israeli-Palestinian peace process, he said that "there is a need for a diplomatic process that will result in clear-cut borders the international community would find acceptable. Even if we can't make this happen swiftly, the core agreements are essential to Israel, at least as they are to the other side.
"If the process doesn't result (in a final agreement), we may lose the chance to have a true dialogue and an international community that supports the idea of a Jewish state," he warned the attendants.
"A state based on religion or ethnicity isn't the most popular idea these days, but we can still find some support for it… That is why the negotiations are so important. The differences are not as acute as they were, but we still have a long way to go."
