Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said Sunday that Israel has a partner for peace in the Fatah-led Palestinian Authority. In a speech to the Saban Forum, Olmert said Israel must “take advantage of the opportunity” provided by the PA. He mentioned former Prime Ministers Ariel Sharon and Yitzchak Rabin, saying the two had worked for peace and that he would do the same.
Olmert told his listeners that Israel would not allow the PA to avoid any of its responsibilities according to past and future accords. Israel will also commit to fulfilling all of its obligations, he said, even if the obligations call for painful concessions.