Olmert to seek West Bank withdrawals: media (Reuters) Updated: 2006-03-05 16:01
Interim Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert plans a unilateral withdrawal from
some settlements in the occupied West Bank if he wins this month's general
election, Israeli media reported on Sunday.
The Haaretz daily reported that Olmert planned to seek the backing of the
United States and other major powers for the proposed pullout, following
Israel's withdrawal from the Gaza Strip last year. Other media carried similar
reports.
Olmert, the front-runner in Israel's March 28 general election, has said
publicly in the past that Israel would have to give up part of the West Bank and
quickly set a border with the Palestinians.
Israeli sources said the victory of the Islamic militant group Hamas in a
Palestinian election was a further incentive to taking unilateral moves instead
of negotiations.
Olmert has vowed not to negotiate with Hamas, whose charter calls for the
destruction of the Jewish state.
|