Olmert on the Day Before the Election

How can Israel project an image of strength?

Step 1: Don't talk like Ehud Olmert.

On Tuesday, January 24th at the 6th Annual Herzliya Conference, Ehud Olmert spoke. Two years earlier at the same conference, Sharon unveiled his plans for the Disengagement. Keeping in mind that this was just one day before the Palestinian Arab elections and Hamas was expected--and exceeded expectations--to do well, what kind of message did Olmert send?

The existence of a Jewish majority in the State of Israel cannot be maintained with the continued control over the Palestinian population in Judea, Samaria and the Gaza Strip. We firmly stand by the historic right of the people of Israel to the entire Land of Israel. Every hill in Samaria and every valley in Judea is part of our historic homeland. We do not forget this, not even for one moment. However, the choice between the desire to allow every Jew to live anywhere in the Land of Israel to the existence of the State of Israel as a Jewish country - obligates relinquishing parts of the Land of Israel. This is not a relinquishing of the Zionist idea, rather the essential realization of the Zionist goal - ensuring the existence of a Jewish and democratic state in the Land of Israel.

In order to ensure the existence of a Jewish national homeland, we will not be able to continue ruling over the territories in which the majority of the Palestinian population lives. We must create a clear boundary as soon as possible, one which will reflect the demographic reality on the ground. Israel will maintain control over the security zones, the Jewish settlement blocs, and those places which have supreme national importance to the Jewish people, first and foremost a united Jerusalem under Israeli sovereignty. There can be no Jewish state without the capital of Jerusalem at its center.

If Olmert, and Israel, is going to continue insisting on being the nice guys and express their willingness to make concessions and actually follow through--without ever getting anything in return, what is accomplished in such a speech except to highlight over and over that there has been no penalty and no political cost paid by the Palestinians for the route they have taken up to this point?

Olmert does address the following day's elections:

On the eve of elections in the institutions of the Palestinian Authority, I say here, on behalf of the Government of Israel, that we will uphold all the obligations we have taken upon ourselves in the framework of the Roadmap, and we demand that the leadership in Ramallah do likewise.

Israel has already proven, including through the Disengagement, that it is prepared to advance peace. It will continue to act so in relation to the commitments it has taken upon itself, in exchange for Palestinian commitments. This includes: limiting construction in the settlements, improving the quality of life of the Palestinian population, and dismantling unauthorized outposts.

The Government of Israel will not be deterred by the threats of a minority of lawbreakers. The unauthorized outposts will be dismantled, and I have already given the appropriate instructions in this regard to our security forces and those entrusted with upholding the law. We will forcefully defend the values of the rule of law, even when attacked from within.

...The Palestinians, headed by Chairman Mahmoud Abbas have committed themselves to implementing a series of concrete steps, which will abrogate the capability to threaten Israel and the political process with terror. Among them is the dismantling of all terror organizations starting with the Hamas, confiscating illegal weapons, enforcing law and order in their territory, implementing government, security and financial reforms, and ceasing the incitement and education of hatred against Israel. [emphasis added]

Does this do anything to discourage terrorism or encourage the Palestinian Arabs to do anything more to keep their part of the Roadmap than they already have--namely nothing? Is that best that Olmert can do is "demand" compliance when the only attack worth noting seems to be the "attack from within"?

But don't worry--Olmert is on the case:

I am following the Palestinian elections closely. We have made important decisions whose purpose is to allow the existence of free and orderly elections. I hope that the results will allow the elected government under the leadership of Mahmoud Abbas to move forward towards a settlement.

I am not a partner to all the doomsayers who are already telling us how hard and horrible it will be here after the elections in the Authority. Israel will know how to operate and act in any circumstance, faced with any scenario, in order to preserve its security and political horizons, and advance the hopes for a changed reality.

Now that the results are in, what is Olmert's reaction? More talk:

Speaking during an emergency meeting of the security cabinet in Jerusalem to discuss Israel’s policy towards the Palestinian Authority after Hamas’ sweeping victory , Olmert said, “Should a government be established in the Palestinian Authority with Hamas leading or participating, the PA will become a sponsor of terror. The world and Israel will ignore it and it will become irrelevant.”

Feeling better? Assasinating the heads of terrorist organizations like Hamas is unfortunately only a short term solution. The long term solution is to take real action instead of just offering talk. If Israel cannot, will not, or is just not 'allowed' to take any action, such as really halting all withdrawls and concessions--painful or otherwise--until the Palestinian leadership actually fulfills some of its share of the Roadmap, if it cannot back up all those "demands" and "warnings", why should the Palestinian Arabs in general or Hamas in particular take Israel seriously?

Unfortunately, the all those world leaders who claim to demand reform from Hamas are likely to settle for a worthless statement implying moderation instead of real action. Israel should have to settle for that.

Technorati Tag: Israel and Olmert and Hamas.