News Brief

(IsraelNN.com) Prime Minister Ehud Olmert will promise the destruction of Jewish communities in biblical Judea and Samaria to US President George W. Bush during his visit this week, according to sources close to the prime minister.

Bush has expressed his explicit interest in discussing the cessation of Jewish residence in Judea and Samaria with Prime Minister Olmert, calling Jewish growth in the areas contrary to peace in the Middle East.

PLO sources say Abbas will ask Bush to force Israel to completely freeze all construction in the biblically Jewish areas, and to halt all military operations in Judea, Samaria, and Gaza, as well as to reiterate US interests in erecting a State of Palestine before Bush leaves office.  Contrary to previous reports, PLO factions have denied any trilateral meetings between PA chief Mahmoud Abbas, Bush, and Olmert.