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Olmert: Israel Must Leave West Bank

Nation must relinquish land for lasting peace, says exiting PM

By Rob Quinn, Newser Staff

Posted Sep 29, 2008 7:55 PM CDT

(Newser) – Israel must give up nearly all the land it seized in 1967 to forge peace with the Palestinians, said outgoing Prime Minister Ehud Olmert. The nation must relinquish most of the West Bank, including East Jerusalem and the Golan Heights—or compensate the Palestinians and Syrians with Israeli territory, said Olmert, who announced his resignation last week. "In the end, we will have to withdraw from the most decisive areas," he said

His remarks sparked fury from both the left and right in Israel, reports Ha'aretz. Olmert's failure to recognize the difference between "rockets fired from afar and the enemy sitting on top of Jerusalem reveals how little he understands the basis of security," said one critic. Olmert conceded a peace deal with Syria "comes with danger," adding: "Those who want to act with zero danger should move to Switzerland."

[Images (5)]

[Quotes (2)]

Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert attends the weekly cabinet meeting in Jerusalem. (AP Photo/Uriel Sinai, Pool)

Israelis observe the scene of an attack from behind a wal outside Jerusalem's Old City last week. (AP Photo/Dan Balilty)

Palestinians behind razor wire wait to cross a checkpoint on their way to pray at a mosque in Jerusalem's Old City last week. (AP Photo/Nasser Shiyoukhi)

A Palestinian child waits to cross a checkpoint on the way to pray at a mosque in Jerusalem's Old City last week. (AP Photo/Bernat Armangue)

Druze clergymen cross from the Israeli-occupied part of the Golan Heights into Syria for an annual pilgrimage to a holy shrine in the Syrian countryside last month. (AP Photo/Bassem Tellawi)

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It is true that an agreement with Syria comes with danger. Those who want to act with zero danger should move to Switzerland.
- Ehud Olmert

In the end of the day, we will have to withdraw from the most decisive areas of the territories.
- Ehud Olmert

« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow

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Olmert: Israel Must Leave West Bank