Palestinians are trying our patience, says Olmert
PM meets US Secretary of State Rice in Tokyo, discusses ongoing Qassam barrage on western Negev. 'This is a long, painful process,' say Olmert. 'We get hit and hit back even harder'
TOKYO - Prime Minister Ehud Olmert met Wednesday night with US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice in Tokyo.
The two began their meeting by discussing the escalating Qassam fire on Sderot and the Gaza vicinity communities. "The Palestinians are trying our patience to its limits," Olmert told Rice.
"What is happening today in Gaza was happening a week ago and may happen a week from now," said Olmert. "We are in the midst of warfare and we will continue fighting until the danger looming over the residents of south (Israel) will cease to exist.
"This is a long, painful process, but we do not have the option to have it stop in one day. We get hit, and hit back even harder."
Olmert went on to say he and Rice discussed the realities Israel faces: "I explained to the secretary of state the realities of Gaza as I explain them to the Israeli people. I told her we will not stop fighting (back).
"We will make terrorists pay a heavy price but we will not make exaggerated statement," he added. "I think our policy is clear to the residents of the south."
Rice herself condemned Wednesday's Qassam attack, which killed 47-year old Roni Yechiah, saying the rocket attacks, which are hindering Washington's efforts to push the peace process, must stop.
"I am concerned about the humanitarian conditions there and innocent people in the Gaza who are being hurt," added Rice. "We have to remember that the Hamas activities there are responsible for what has happened in Gaza ... But of course we are concerned about innocent people and we are concerned about the humanitarian situation."
The escalating situation in Gaza is not expected to change Rice's plans to visit the region next week, in an attempt to reignite Israeli-Palestinian talks.
Israel, meanwhile, has filed an official complaint with the United Nations following the barrage of Qassam rocket fire on the western Negev.
Ambassador Danny Carmon, deputy head of the Israeli delegation, relayed a letter of complaint to UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon following "the latest attempts to equate terrorist attacks directed at Israeli civilians to Israeli responses carried out with the intention of protecting its citizens."
Yitzhak Benhorin and Reuters contributed to this report
