Olmert will stress road map at Herzliya Conference

Acting Prime Minister Ehud Olmert is expected to tell Herzliya Conference participants Tuesday that Israel’s permanent borders must be determined based on demographic considerations, and should not be based on control of a large Palestinian population in the West Bank. Olmert will present his political plan ahead of the elections, as his rivals – Likud Chairman Benjamin Netanyahu and Labor Party Chairman Amir Peretz – also did this week. Olmert is due to say that Israel is committed to the road map, and that advancing along this path requires adherence to all phases of the plan. The road map calls for the establishment of a Palestinian state within temporary borders, as a transitional phase to the final-status agreement. Olmert is expected to say that advancement under the road map is conditional on a total halt to Palestinian terror. Last week Olmert said that if Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas dismantles the terror organizations, he will begin final-status negotiations with him. Olmert is expected to say that Israel prefers to reach a negotiated agreement with the Palestinians, but will not be dependent on others for the assurance of its future. This is intended as a hint that Israel will continue to make unilateral moves if the negotiation track gets stuck. According to Olmert, it’s better for Israel to take the political initiative than to be dragged along after others. Olmert is also slated to attempt to quell concerns related to Hamas’ anticipated success in Wednesday’s elections for the Palestinian parliament. Israel is too strong to be afraid of such events, Olmert is expected to say. The speech is also due to address Israel’s expectations of a future Palestinian state – not only the security aspect, but also regarding hoped-for economic prosperity. U.S. Ambassador to Israel Dick Jones said Monday that the American administration would prefer to see Hamas limited to the Palestinian parliament, rather than in the PA government. He compared the situation in the PA to that in Lebanon, saying the U.S. is speaking with the Lebanese government, but not with Hezbollah ministers and that it would be possible to create a similar system here.