On Wednesday, Defense Minister Amir Peretz admitted that Israel has agreed to lift the embargo, giving in to international pressure.
At 6:00pm Thursday evening, Prime Minister Ehud Olmert will be breaking another promise regarding the release of captive soldiers, lifting the blockade against Lebanon without bringing them home. During the war, Olmert released almost daily statements to the press, assuring the nation that he would never accept a ceasefire that does not include the “immediate and unconditional release” of the soldiers abducted by Hizbullah.
The attack during which Eldad Regev and Ehud Goldwasser were taken hostage compelled Israel to send forces into southern Lebanon, resulting in the war which cost the lives of almost 120 soldiers.
Since Jerusalem announced its acceptance of United Nations Resolution 1701, the ceasefire, there has been mounting criticism against the prime minister, who now faces a growing grassroots movement, calling for launching an independent state commission of inquiry into alleged government mishandling of the anti-Hizbullah military offensive.
Olmert did not remove the Hizbullah threat from Israel’s northern border as promised, nor did the IDF destroy the terror organization’s arsenal capable of striking the Greater Tel Aviv area and the capital. The hostages remain in custody, and Olmert has not even managed to compel Hizbullah leader Sheikh Hassan Nasrallah to permit International Red Cross representatives to visit with them to confirm that they are alive and well.
Intelligence reports indicate that they are, but senior officials including United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan stated while the information does seem to confirm reports, he cannot say with absolute certainty that the soldiers are alive since no one from any agency has actually seen them.
The parents of Goldwasser and Regev are outraged over Olmert’s latest decision, to lift the embargo on Lebanon without even demanding information on the soldiers’ well-being. Family representatives have called to meet with the prime minister. The meeting is set for today, Thursday.
While trying to exhibit an air of calm, the prime minister is under mounting pressure, with calls from IDF reservists, including generals, demanding an independent inquiry into the war. Many are calling on Olmert to resign, along with Defense Minister Amir Peretz and IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Dan Halutz.
Complicating matters is the growing chasm between Olmert and Peretz, whose Labor Party is the main coalition partner. Peretz and his Laborite colleagues earlier in the week released statements supporting the establishment of an independent inquiry, undermining Olmert’s position.
Labor ministers also remain adamantly opposed to the draft 2007 state budget, threatening to bolt the coalition if it is not amended. Finance Minister Avraham Hirschson is carrying on meetings with coalition partners, with economic analysts reporting with a modicum of certainty that most of the cuts announced in the draft will be eliminated prior to the budget being brought before the Knesset for its first reading.
In the meantime, Finance Minister Avraham Hirschson on Thursday will continue meeting with coalition partners as he works to drum up support for the budget ahead of its first reading in Knesset.
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At 6:00pm Thursday evening, Prime Minister Ehud Olmert will be breaking another promise regarding the release of captive soldiers, lifting the blockade against Lebanon without bringing them home. During the war, Olmert released almost daily statements to the press, assuring the nation that he would never accept a ceasefire that does not include the “immediate and unconditional release” of the soldiers abducted by Hizbullah.
The attack during which Eldad Regev and Ehud Goldwasser were taken hostage compelled Israel to send forces into southern Lebanon, resulting in the war which cost the lives of almost 120 soldiers.
Since Jerusalem announced its acceptance of United Nations Resolution 1701, the ceasefire, there has been mounting criticism against the prime minister, who now faces a growing grassroots movement, calling for launching an independent state commission of inquiry into alleged government mishandling of the anti-Hizbullah military offensive.
Olmert did not remove the Hizbullah threat from Israel’s northern border as promised, nor did the IDF destroy the terror organization’s arsenal capable of striking the Greater Tel Aviv area and the capital. The hostages remain in custody, and Olmert has not even managed to compel Hizbullah leader Sheikh Hassan Nasrallah to permit International Red Cross representatives to visit with them to confirm that they are alive and well.
Intelligence reports indicate that they are, but senior officials including United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan stated while the information does seem to confirm reports, he cannot say with absolute certainty that the soldiers are alive since no one from any agency has actually seen them.
The parents of Goldwasser and Regev are outraged over Olmert’s latest decision, to lift the embargo on Lebanon without even demanding information on the soldiers’ well-being. Family representatives have called to meet with the prime minister. The meeting is set for today, Thursday.
While trying to exhibit an air of calm, the prime minister is under mounting pressure, with calls from IDF reservists, including generals, demanding an independent inquiry into the war. Many are calling on Olmert to resign, along with Defense Minister Amir Peretz and IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Dan Halutz.
Complicating matters is the growing chasm between Olmert and Peretz, whose Labor Party is the main coalition partner. Peretz and his Laborite colleagues earlier in the week released statements supporting the establishment of an independent inquiry, undermining Olmert’s position.
Labor ministers also remain adamantly opposed to the draft 2007 state budget, threatening to bolt the coalition if it is not amended. Finance Minister Avraham Hirschson is carrying on meetings with coalition partners, with economic analysts reporting with a modicum of certainty that most of the cuts announced in the draft will be eliminated prior to the budget being brought before the Knesset for its first reading.
In the meantime, Finance Minister Avraham Hirschson on Thursday will continue meeting with coalition partners as he works to drum up support for the budget ahead of its first reading in Knesset.
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