OLMERT'S OFFER?

Olmert's new offer to Abbas: Agreement of Principles toward Palestinian state (Haaretz)

Prime Minister Ehud Olmert is offering to hold negotiations toward an "Agreement of Principles" for the establishment of a Palestinian state on most of the territory of the West Bank and the Gaza Strip.

Olmert's proposal to Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas is based on his view that it is important to first discuss issues that are relatively easy for the two sides to agree upon. No less important is Olmert's assessment that such an accord will enjoy the overwhelming support of the Israeli public and the Knesset.

If Olmert's proposal is accepted by the Palestinians, the two sides will begin negotiations on the characteristics of the Palestinian state, its official institutions, its economy, and the customs arrangement it will have with Israel. After an "Agreement of Principles," the two sides will tackle the more sensitive diplomatic issues, like final borders and the transit arrangements. ...

The likely principles that Olmert will offer as part of the the agreement will be as follows:

• The establishment of a Palestinian state comprising about 90 percent of the territory of the West Bank and in the Gaza Strip. Even prior to the 2006 elections, Olmert suggested that Israel unilaterally evacuate from such territory in the West Bank, and withdraw to the separation fence, for the primary purpose of retaining a Jewish majority in its territory, behind a defensible border. Palestinian support for such agreement will contribute to Israeli public and political support for the deal.
• Exchange of territory to compensate for the large settlement blocs that will remain under Israeli control in the West Bank.
• Connecting the West Bank and the Gaza Strip through a tunnel in order to offer the Palestinians territorial contiguity, prevent friction between Israelis and Palestinians, and preserve security. Israel will request territorial compensation for the digging of a tunnel in its sovereign territory. From Israel's point of view, a tunnel connecting the West Bank and the Strip is the best option to link the two, and is better than the elevated or sunken highway proposals.
• The Palestinians will be able to declare Jerusalem their capital. In the past Olmert has hinted that he would be willing to withdraw from the Arab neighborhoods of East Jerusalem "on the edge," which have never been considered part of the historical city. The Old City, its environs and the Mount of Olives would remain in Israel's control.

Olmert's offer (JNW)
Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert hopes to appease the Palestinian Arabs with an offer that is expected to include the following aspects:

• The creation of Palestine - a Muslim Arab state - on about 90 percent of Samaria and Judea and in the Gaza Strip. This is more or less what then Prime Minister Ehud Barak offered Yasser Arafat in 2000.
• An exchange of territory to allow Israel to retain its large settlement blocs in the "West Bank."
• The digging of a tunnel that will connect Samaria and Judea to the Gaza Strip so as to ensure territorial contiguity.
• Enabling the "Palestinians" to declare Jerusalem their capital by Israel withdrawing from parts of so-called East Jerusalem, areas historically never considered part of the historical city.
• Israel will retains control of Jerusalem's Old City, its environs and the Mount of Olives