Olmert: Israel's problems won't wait for new US president
Prime minister tours north, says 'the next US president will be friendly and we'll be able to talk to him', but adds that Jewish state cannot put hold on diplomatic moves until Americans complete process of replacing Bush
He added, however, that the Jewish state cannot wait until the American nation completes the process of replacing its president.
Speaking during a tour of northern Israel, Olmert said, "I think our problems here require a quick solution, an urgent answer, and every day which passes without a solution will not return, it's lost.
"The decision to set a deadline for the end of the year in a bid to reach an agreement with the Palestinians, while attempting to reach an agreement with the Syrians, has nothing to do with the identity of the US president or leader and the person who will replace him, whether it's Barack Obama or John McCain. I know them both and know they will be Israel's friends.
"Analyzing what is happening here, and the developments in the Palestinian Authority and in the international arena, the question is whether we can delay our handling of these problems. I think not.
"I think the government has every authority to do so, and if there was any doubt, the attorney general has already rejected the false claims of the opposition members, who wish to lead Israel to another war and additional conflicts."
Olmert with Obama (Photo: AFP)
The prime minister went on to say that the diplomatic process must be continued, stating that he will work to do so until his very last day in office. He added that he has been invited to meet with outgoing President Bush. "He asked me to come, perhaps in order to say goodbye," he explained.
'House demolition result of gov't stupidity'
The prime minister met with local residents and discussed the area's welfare problems with them.A resident of the Arab city of Shfaram complained about the demolition of homes belonging to young Bedouins. Olmert replied, "Not every single problem in Arab towns is a case of discrimination. Sometimes this is simply the result of bureaucracy and governments' stupidity."
During the meeting in Shfaram, the resident turned to Olmert and said, "I see Bedouins' houses demolished all the time. This is very painful. I would like to turn to the prime minister and convey a request to him by all young people – stop destroying Bedouins' homes. We're not interested in radicalization. I'm turning to you because you have done things for peace."
The man was applauded by the meeting's attendees, who included representatives of the Muslim, Druze and Circassian residents.
Olmert replied, "I would just like to tell you, not angrily but excitedly, that we recently made a decision to allot land to all the young Bedouins, Druze and Circassians who served in the army. We don’t with to demolish houses, but rather to build houses for those who served in the army according to the tradition in their community.
"Not every single problem in Arab towns is a case of discrimination. Sometimes it is simply the result of bureaucracy and governments' stupidity. Do you think the Jews don’t have such problems? Every time I visit a Jewish town, from Ofakim in the south to Shlomi in the north, I hear complaints.
"We said, and I reiterate, that the non-Jewish population in the north was part of the victims of the Lebanon war and will be part of the rehabilitation."
The prime minister went on to say that his government "will work to prevent discrimination against Israel's non-Jewish citizens as one of its top priorities."
He added that "the discrimination is over, the disregard is over. We will invest in the Arab population in accordance to the severity of its problems and according to its needs. We are not denying the fact that this population was discriminated against for years."
