MK Shalom: Agreement by 2008 a ‘Sad Joke’

Former Foreign Minister MK Silvan Shalom criticized the joint statement from Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas on Tuesday.  The statement was read aloud as the Annapolis conference began, and called for creation of a PA state by 2008. 

“To reach a permanent agreement within one year is a sad joke,” Shalom said.  The differences between Israel and the PA are simply too great to be resolved so quickly, he said.

Shalom was skeptical about Abbas’s ability to sign a final agreement, saying, “What was with Arafat will be with Abu Mazen [Abbas’s terrorist nickname-ed.].  He won’t move a millimeter.  Does someone think that Abu Mazen will accept what Arafat rejected?”