"Olmert is detached from reality," Netanyahu told Army Radio today. "He did not see that his policy of free withdrawals led to the Hamas victory, and he did not foresee the firing of Kassams at Ashkelon, and he does not see the Hamas state that has arisen atop of Gush Dan [the greater Tel Aviv-Netanya area]."
Netanyahu similarly criticised the media for underplaying the Hamas dangers. When Army Radio interviewer Razi Barkai said, "OK, we've exhausted the diplomatic topic, let's discuss something else," Netanyahu laughed and said,
"I know that the media has its limitations, but to think that we've exhaused this topic in two minutes is simply a joke. We have just undergone a veritable earthquake, with the rise of a fundamentalist-Islamic terrorist organization to power, giving it the ability to create another Iran right on our border - and we just pass over it as if it were nothing."
Olmert, in one of his first public speeches since assuming Prime Ministerial duties a month ago, said last night that his Kadima Party is the only alternative for the Israeli public: "On the right is a conservative party that is detached from reality and buried in slogans of the past - the Likud - while on the left is a radical socialist party led by Amir Peretz."
Olmert also said, "A government headed by myself will not conduct any negotiations with Hamas."
Both the Likud and Labor responded sharply to Olmert's speech. A Labor Party response attacked Olmert's mention of a seven-year plan to fight poverty: "The amount he spends on cigars is more than the minimum wage."
The Likud initiated a campaign today emphasizing the Russian invitation to Hamas - and the French half-hearted approval of such - as an indication of Olmert's perceived weakness. "Putin and Chirac are giving Olmert a lesson," the new Likud slogan states.
Kadima's new slogan is, "Israel is stronger than Bibi."
Netanyahu told Army Radio today,
"Olmert reveals inexperience in his attempts to deal with a complex reality that can be dealt with. He allowed Hamas to vote in Jerusalem, gave it money, brought the partition wall closer to central Israel, and now, after the horses have run away, he wants to close the barn doors that he left open."
Netanyahu was asked twice if he regards Olmert as unfit to serve as Prime Minister. Despite his harsh criticism of Olmert, Netanyahu preferred to dodge this question - apparently in order to leave open the option of the Likud's joining an Olmert-led government in the future.
The Likud candidate continued,
"The Likud will build a wall against Hamas with international help, and we will ensure that the Jordan Valley and Judean Valley remain a part of the State... It must be understood that Hamas is not Fatah. You have to listen to them and believe them. Olmert will withdraw in order to enable another Iran to be built here. I have to tell the public the truth: This danger can be reduced.
"There is no difference between Kadima and Labor, they are both left-wing parties. Olmert has taken Peres, and Chaim Ramon, and Dalia Itzik. There is a choice: Either the Likud policies that foresee developments, or a policy of illusions led by Olmert, leading to continued strengthening of Hamas."
Netanyahu similarly criticised the media for underplaying the Hamas dangers. When Army Radio interviewer Razi Barkai said, "OK, we've exhausted the diplomatic topic, let's discuss something else," Netanyahu laughed and said,
"I know that the media has its limitations, but to think that we've exhaused this topic in two minutes is simply a joke. We have just undergone a veritable earthquake, with the rise of a fundamentalist-Islamic terrorist organization to power, giving it the ability to create another Iran right on our border - and we just pass over it as if it were nothing."
Olmert, in one of his first public speeches since assuming Prime Ministerial duties a month ago, said last night that his Kadima Party is the only alternative for the Israeli public: "On the right is a conservative party that is detached from reality and buried in slogans of the past - the Likud - while on the left is a radical socialist party led by Amir Peretz."
Olmert also said, "A government headed by myself will not conduct any negotiations with Hamas."
Both the Likud and Labor responded sharply to Olmert's speech. A Labor Party response attacked Olmert's mention of a seven-year plan to fight poverty: "The amount he spends on cigars is more than the minimum wage."
The Likud initiated a campaign today emphasizing the Russian invitation to Hamas - and the French half-hearted approval of such - as an indication of Olmert's perceived weakness. "Putin and Chirac are giving Olmert a lesson," the new Likud slogan states.
Kadima's new slogan is, "Israel is stronger than Bibi."
Netanyahu told Army Radio today,
"Olmert reveals inexperience in his attempts to deal with a complex reality that can be dealt with. He allowed Hamas to vote in Jerusalem, gave it money, brought the partition wall closer to central Israel, and now, after the horses have run away, he wants to close the barn doors that he left open."
Netanyahu was asked twice if he regards Olmert as unfit to serve as Prime Minister. Despite his harsh criticism of Olmert, Netanyahu preferred to dodge this question - apparently in order to leave open the option of the Likud's joining an Olmert-led government in the future.
The Likud candidate continued,
"The Likud will build a wall against Hamas with international help, and we will ensure that the Jordan Valley and Judean Valley remain a part of the State... It must be understood that Hamas is not Fatah. You have to listen to them and believe them. Olmert will withdraw in order to enable another Iran to be built here. I have to tell the public the truth: This danger can be reduced.
"There is no difference between Kadima and Labor, they are both left-wing parties. Olmert has taken Peres, and Chaim Ramon, and Dalia Itzik. There is a choice: Either the Likud policies that foresee developments, or a policy of illusions led by Olmert, leading to continued strengthening of Hamas."