Israeli PM Olmert sought yesterday to appease the concerns of those criticizing him in Israel and those who accuse him of moving too fast in his talks with the Palestinians. He said during the Israeli cabinet weekly session: During my talks with President Abbas in the last months, no agreement has been reached. We conducted thorough discussion and this allowed each of us to present his vision on the situation and to review the major problems that will be the core of the talks that will lead to the two state solution: Israel and Palestine – living side by side in peace. The meetings were sort of brainstorming. He warned: the international meeting in the end of November must support the diplomatic process and will not in any way replace the direct negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians.

In the meantime, the Israeli TV Channel 10 revealed yesterday evening that the negotiations will officially start between the PA and Israel later this week are facing major obstacles threatening with their collapse. The report of the TV shows that there is a major gap between both sides and that if the gap is not bridged, all consultations and discussions will fail before the international conference. The report said the Palestinians want to define a timetable for the agreement which should be concluded within six months after the peace conference while Israel rejects this proposal and considers it far from the needed realism. The major issue that concerns Olmert is not the negotiations or the timetable but to maintain his government coalition and for him to stay in power.

Published at Al Ayyam NewsPaper on October 8, 2007