News Brief

(IsraelNN.com) Prime Minister Ehud Olmert told the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee Monday morning that the only people who envision Judea and Samaria as part of Israel are those who have "hallucinations."

He also insisted that Israel is not holding secret negotiations with Hamas although the government has been negotiating with the terrorist party through Egyptian mediators for a period of calm in Gaza. Prime Minister Olmert also maintained that an agreement can been reached with the Palestinian Authority (PA) this year. He did not refer to the obstacle of striking a deal while Gaza is under the authority of Hamas.

Knesset Member Effie Eitam (National Union) challenged the Prime Minister's authority to establish contacts with Syria and continue to negotiate with the PA while he is under criminal investigations. Prime Minister Olmert replied, "You hate peace."