MK Nissim Ze'ev (Shas) said U.S. President George W. Bush was chasing "illusions of peace." Ze'ev said it was hard to understand how the nation of Israel intended to conduct diplomatic negotiations with a nation whose factions compete over killing Jews and destroying the state of Israel.

Regarding the agreement between Olmert and Abbas to discuss the "core issues," MK Ze'ev said: "The Prime Minister can talk about whatever he wants. It doesn't bind anyone and especially not Shas."

Ze'ev added that "when the Prime Minister says that he wants to act upon the agreements with Bush and desires our support, Rabbi Ovadiah will decide."