The statement from Olmert calling these settlements a disgrace comes after criticism from United States President George W. Bush on how Israel must leave the Arab lands. Olmert had used the word of “disgrace” to be harsh and to show his determination to implement the nation’s obligation under the 2003 roadmap to peace.
This roadmap to peace calls for Israel to stop construction of settlements and take down all unauthorized outposts built after 2001. It also calls forth for Palestinians to dismantle all violent groups.
Mahmoud Abbas, Palestine’s President said that negotiating teams would tackle issues such as borders, Jerusalem, and Palestinian refugees.
“If we can reach an agreement on all these issues, then we can say that we have reached a final agreement,” Abbas explained in a speech in Ramallah.
He also said in the speech: “We told President Bush that we can’t move ahead in negotiations while settlement activities are going on. We can’t have negotiations while they are building houses all over.”
Abbas had also directed criticism towards Gaza which is under control of Hamas for letting rockets be fired into Israel. He said it hurts the Palestinians more than it hurts the Israelis.