News Brief

(IsraelNN.com) Prime Minister Ehud Olmert took the opportunity of pushing his plans for peace agreements with the Palestinian Authority and Arabs countries when he spoke at the Ammunition Hill ceremony in Jerusalem for fallen soldiers Tuesday night. "This year as well we nurture in our hearts the hope for a different tomorrow, a tomorrow which will bring a chance, a tomorrow which possibly will bring peace," he said. "The hope for genuine peace with all our neighbors was and remains the most central pillar of our lives in this blood-soaked piece of land."

The Prime Minister told bereaved families that "words…and statement do not console." He wished the parents "better, quieter and safer days" and expressed hope for the return of missing and kidnapped soldiers. Prime Minister Olmert promised two years ago that he would insist on the return of kidnapped IDF soldiers Gilad Shalit, Ehud Goldwasser and Eldad Regev before he would agree to talk with the Palestinian Authority (PA) and end the retaliatory war against Hizbullah.