Olmert: We won't miss chance for peace
Prime Minister presents plans for winter Knesset session to Kadima members, emphasizes his intent to seize opportunities for peace
Ehud Olmert intends to take steps to improve Israel's security, lead Israel in a direction that will improve its relations with the Palestinians and craft Israel's first constitution during the winter Knesset session, the prime minister told a meeting of Kadima members Monday afternoon.
"There is no way I will ever allow us to miss any opportunity for peace that could perhaps lead to an improvement in relations between Israel and the Palestinians, " Olmert declared.
"We will succeed in creating a change in public opinion and in the quality of life in the State of Israel if we act as a unified party. We cannot allow ourselves to let individual agendas take precedence over priorities that are set by the government and the party. We will know how to learn the lessons and to deal with these challenges in order to ensure stability, good governance and progress," Olmert said.
The prime minister added that he hoped the winter session would begin with the approval of the budget for 2008.
Olmert spoke of his hopes to create a constitution for the State of Israel saying that "the current form of government does not properly ensure the stability and good governance that are necessary for democracy and we need to make an effort to improve the method of government by making changes that will require extensive public and parliamentary debate."
He said that after 60 years, he hoped to be able finally craft a constitution for the State of Israel based on broad agreement and protecting the rights of minorities.
During the meeting, MK Eli Aflalo was elected as the new chairman of Kadima. "I hope to act in the best way possible in order to unite and strengthen the party and the coalition," Aflalo said afterwards.
