Acting Prime Minister Ehud Olmert met with United States Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice on Monday night and discussed issues pertaining to Israel's talks with the Palestinian Authority. Olmert warned Rice that some European and American groups are pushing direct talks with Hamas despite the fact that the terrorist group has not fulfilled the International Quartet's ground rules for negotiation, which include recognition of Israel and agreement to abide by previous signed documents.
Olmert told Rice he would continue to promote talks with the PA even after US President-elect Barack Obama takes the place of current President George Bush. Rice said Israel and the PA might not manage to reach a final deal by the end of the year as she had hoped, but said the failure to do so was due only to the upcoming national elections in Israel.