PA officials rejected Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's statement Tuesday that Maaleh Adumim is part of Jerusalem and Israel, warning the Prime Minister that any building by Jews in eastern Jerusalem would sabotage talks between the PA and Israel.

In an interview with The Jerusalem Post, Olmert stated "I don't think when people are talking about settlements they are talking about Maaleh Adumim."  A PA representative in Ramallah responded with anger and derision, accusing Olmert of "living on another planet" and adopting policies that would not result in PA partnership for talks.

Olmert recently speculated on PA chief Mahmoud Abbas's vision of Israel in another Jerusalem Post interview, saying he senses that the PA leader accepts the Jewish identity of Israel "in his soul."