Stories related to: Ehud Olmert

Bush Calls for End to Israeli 'Occupation'

CNN  |  Jan 10, 08 11:35 AM CST

(Newser) - In a historic visit to the West Bank, President Bush today called on Israel to “end the occupation that began in 1967,” to make way for a Palestinian state. He also said that state would have to be contiguous. “Swiss cheese isn’t going to work,” he said. He called for  "new international mechanisms, including compensation, to resolve the refugee issue," acknowledging that  “painful” concessions are required to make peace.  More »

Bush Sees Palestinian State Deal 'Within Year'

Reuters  |  Jan 10, 08 6:03 AM CST

(Newser) - President Bush announced today after a historic meeting with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas that he envisions an independent Palestinian state within a year—just hours after he also vowed to back a decision by Israel to create settlements in disputed parts of Jerusalem, over international objections. The president's juggling demonstrates the difficulty of satisfying both sides in the Mideast conflict. More »

Bush: Iran a 'Threat to World Peace'

Washington Post  |  Jan 9, 08 3:12 PM CST

(Newser) - President Bush called Iran a "threat to world peace," and reaffirmed America's support for Israel today in the first visit to that country of his presidency. Bush's tough talk came in response to the harassment of US ships by Iranian vessels in the Strait of Hormuz last weekend. "There will be serious consequences if they attack our ships," Bush said. More »

Bush in Israel on Peace Mission

Haaretz (Israel)  |  Jan 9, 08 6:32 AM CST

(Newser) - George W. Bush has arrived in Tel Aviv for his first presidential visit to Israel, where he hopes to boost momentum on the peace talks launched in Annapolis. Haaretz reports that both President Shimon Peres and PM Ehud Olmert met the president at the airport. Overshadowing the visit, though, is a threat by one of Olmert's coalition partners to quit the government and topple the PM. More »

Bush Visit Gives Mideast Talks a Nudge

Reuters  |  Jan 8, 08 4:30 PM CST

(Newser) - Ehud Olmert and Mahmoud Abbas today authorized negotiations on the most contentious issues in the way of Israeli-Palestinian peace, Reuters reports. The move comes a day before President Bush's visit to the region begins. The two leaders approved talks on so-called final-status issues such as state borders, the future of Jerusalem, and the fate of Palestinian refugees. More »

Olmert: Divided Jerusalem Is Inevitable

Jerusalem Post (Israel)  |  Jan 2, 08 6:22 AM CST

(Newser) - Israelis must accept that Jerusalem will probably be divided if and when a Palestinian state is established, Israeli PM Ehud Olmert said in a New Year's interview, charging that his political rivals have not "internalized" that reality, and their reluctance threatens the future of Israel. "The world that is friendly to Israel, when it speaks of the future, it speaks of Israel in terms of the '67 borders. It speaks of the division of Jerusalem," he told the Jerusalem Post. More »

Israel Won't Freeze Settlement Activity

Reuters  |  Dec 27, 07 2:04 PM CST

(Newser) - Israel-Palestine negotiations hit a stumbling block today as Israeli PM Ehud Olmert rejected Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas' call for an end to all settlement activity, Reuters reports. The impasse has been exacerbated by Israel's announcement of new plans to construct hundreds of houses near East Jerusalem, the proposed site of Palestine's future capital. More »

Olmert, Abbas to Meet to Salvage Talks

Haaretz (Israel)  |  Dec 26, 07 9:30 AM CST

(Newser) - Ehud Olmert and Mahmoud Abbas will meet tomorrow in hopes of resolving the settlement crisis that is threatening to derail the Annapolis peace process. Haaretz reports that the Israeli PM and the Palestinian leader will discuss a contested tender by the Israeli housing ministry for 307 homes to be constructed in Har Homa, a southeast Jerusalem neighborhood beyond the Green Line, the pre-Six Day War border. More »

Israel Plans to Expand Settlements

New York Times  |  Dec 23, 07 9:28 PM CST

(Newser) - The road to Arab-Israeli peace could take yet another detour, the New York Times says, after Israel announced plans today to seek funding for the expansion of two Jewish settlements in areas Palestinians hope to claim for a future state. The two sides are expected to meet tomorrow, but Palestine’s chief negotiator warned the talks would have “no meaning” if Israel moves forward with its plans. More »

US to Privately Grade Mideast Peace Plan

Reuters  |  Dec 23, 07 4:02 PM CST

(Newser) - Washington will secretly score Israeli and Palestinian adherence to the "road map" peace plan and hash out results with each side, Reuters reports. US diplomats plan to report to the White House on Israeli settlement growth and Palestinian vows to curb militants, two keys to the peace deal—but critics question the value of such secret oversight. More »

Olmert Nixes Hamas Truce: 'This War Will Continue'