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Olmert, Barak and Livni tell Mitchell: We will respond to every Hamas violation of truce
By Barak Ravid
Tags: Ehud Olmert, Ehud Barak 

Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, Defense Minister Ehud Barak and Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni told United States Mideast envoy George Mitchell that Israel would respond to every Hamas violation of the cease-fire, be they rocket attacks, strikes along the border fence or smuggling through tunnels.

Mitchell told Israeli officials that the new administration was committed to Israel's security, to the road map, and to the 2004 letter by president George W. Bush stating Palestinian refugees would not return to Israel and the border between Israel and the Palestinian Authority would take into consideration facts on the ground, meaning large settlement blocs would remain in Israeli hands.

A government source in Jerusalem said Wednesday that it was understood during talks with Mitchell that President Barack Obama expects Israel and the Palestinian Authority to renew diplomatic talks right after elections here.
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The source also said that according to Mitchell, the American administration is, "very serious about the Palestinian issue," and wants to "accelerate the process" as much as possible. Olmert told Mitchell that Gaza border crossings will not open permanently for the passage of goods unless a deal is reached on kidnapped soldier Gilad Shalit. However, Olmert said Israel would continue opening the crossings for humanitarian aid.

In a brief statement to the press, Mitchell said consolidating the Gaza cease-fire was "of critical importance," and called for an end to the hostilities and smuggling and to open the crossings on the basis of the 2005 agreements. Olmert told Mitchell that the stability of the cease-fire in Gaza would be determined by two parameters: A complete cessation of Qassam rockets and attacks along the fence and an end to arms smuggling by Hamas.

"It is important that following the operation in Gaza, Hamas' strength will decline and the Palestinian Authority will get a foot in the door in Gaza," Olmert said. Mitchell also met with President Shimon Peres, who said there was no contradiction between the positions of the United States and Israel. "Like the United States, Israel wants peace," he said. "They say the administration will pressure Israel but we are actually the ones who will pressure the United States to assist us in bringing peace and fighting terror."

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      1.   Here Comes Another False Minister 06:42  |  Shimon Cleopas 29/01/09
      2.   Hamas ?performance? 08:21  |  Jean Van Daem 29/01/09
      3.   Hamas Actions Turns Gaza Into Craters and Rubble Dunes 08:46  |  Joseph.E 29/01/09
      4.   Barak and Livni nothing but liars,they stopped the war to soon 08:54  |  moishe 29/01/09
      5.   What kind of change will Obama bring? 09:04  |  Natallie Durson 29/01/09
      6.   Barak , Livni and GM 09:30  |  DT 29/01/09
      7.   NATO needs to respond to violations of int`l law 09:39  |  John 29/01/09
      8.   We know that stopping fire is important Mitchell 10:32  |  x-ray 29/01/09
      9.   What ceasefire? Hamas never agreed a truce 10:46  |  Manny Goldstein 29/01/09
      10.   O.B. & L. response irrational. Saudi Plan is only sane response 11:04  |  Ivar 29/01/09
      11.   Mitchell A Mere Annoyance 11:34  |  Baruch Gold 29/01/09
      12.   The Israeli troika with an ominous tone 12:19  |  allang 29/01/09
      13.   #5 Natallie Durson "What ... change will Obama bring?" Wanna bet? 12:59  |  S 29/01/09
      14.   "Respond" is not sufficient 16:37  |  Angel 29/01/09
      15.   Trying the impossible is just impossible. 18:41  |  Akram Zekaria 29/01/09
      16.   #5, Natalie, unfortunately, not much, it looks like... 19:16  |  Silvienne 29/01/09
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