Olmert holds little hope for peace deal

Ehud Olmert has reported back to the Israeli cabinet that he does not have great hopes of anything coming out of the Annapolis summit and, indeed, that he is going to continue to insist that Israeli security be achieved before Israel is required to make any other move under George Bush's redundant road map.

Reporting to his cabinet, Mr Olmert insisted that there was "no commitment to a specific timetable". While every effort would be made to hold accelerated negotiations, beginning on 12 December, Israel would implement any agreement only after the Palestinians fulfilled all their obligations under the 2003 international roadmap for peace. "I think this is very important," Mr Olmert said, "and assures the security component, which is the most important issue that we are dealing with".

The roadmap, drafted by the US, European Union, United Nations and Russia, requires the Palestinian Authority to end violence and "begin sustained, targeted and effective operations aimed at confronting all those who engage in terror and dismantlement of terrorist capabilities and infrastructure".

So, the occupied people will first be required to ensure the safety of their occupiers before the occupying force need take any action which might end the occupation.

It's almost a classic example of putting the cart before the horse.

Now obviously there is a certain amount of playing to the gallery here from Olmert as he is desperate to avoid the Russian immigrant Yisrael Beiteinu party and the Sephardi Shas from walking from his government and bringing about it's collapse, something they have promised to do if the rhetoric from Annapolis is turned into fact. So he's almost winking at them not to worry, reassuring them that nothing will come from Annapolis.

Of course, even the pro-Israeli Tony Blair has pointed out that the "Israeli security first" route is doomed to failure:

Tony Blair, whose quiet but effective involvement as Middle East envoy has so far been largely positive, argues that progress on Israeli security, a better economy for the Palestinians, and a political solution for both peoples all go hand in hand. This is an improvement on the "security first" doctrine, which holds that no progress is possible until Palestinian militancy has been crushed. Western and Arab countries will have a chance at the summit to endorse Mr Blair's approach.

There's got to be something in it for the Palestinians as well. Perhaps, as I say, Olmert is simply playing to keep the more right wing elements of his government on board, but, nevertheless, the hopes of anything positive coming out of Annapolis do not look good.

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Tags: Olmert, Abbas, Annapolis summit, Israel, Palestine