By Xinhua
Jerusalem : Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said on Thursday evening in a speech to his Kadima Party that Israel now has a partner for peace, national daily Ha’aretz reported on its website.
“We are now in a period in which the Palestinian people have a moderate leadership that has declared its desire for peace with us,” Olmert was quoted as saying, referring to Palestinian National Authority (PNA) Chairman Mahmoud Abbas.
“For years, people were satisfied to say ‘there is no partner. ‘Now all the signs point to the fact that we have a partner,” he said.
Olmert said that his meetings with Abbas in recent months have created “the beginnings of trust,” adding that the two have begun “discussions on sensitive issues, and to think together on ways to bridge the gap between the two sides.”
Regarding the upcoming U.S.-sponsored Middle East peace conference, Olmert said, “It is important that moderate countries like Jordan, Egypt and Saudi Arabia take part in the meeting.”
Olmert and Abbas have been meeting periodically in recent months, in an effort to reach an agreement ahead of the international conference, which is expected to be held in November.
On Thursday afternoon, U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, who was visiting the region, said the conference must be “substantive,” and that Israel and the Palestinians must draft a document beforehand that lays “foundations for serious negotiations.”
In addition, Olmert was also reported to have pledged, in his speech, to ask the cabinet on Sunday to free additional Palestinian prisoners as a gesture to Abbas.
Israel released some 250 Palestinian prisoners in July as a way to bolster the PNA chairman.
Israeli media said that during his recent meetings with Abbas, Olmert has agreed to free more jailed Palestinians ahead of the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan, which started on Sept. 13, but the release was delayed.
On Iran, Olmert said Iran’s alleged nuclear-weapon program is the “primary threat to Israel,” calling for more stringent sanctions against Iran.
“We do not seek headlines, but we will work to remove this threat,” the prime minister was quoted as saying.