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Conversation with Ehud Olmert
by Lally Weymouth
 I declared before the elections what my plans are [for withdrawing from the territories] in a most explicit manner. And I certainly intend now to go ahead and not waste time.
The idea is that most of the settlements that would have to be removed from where they are now will be converged into the blocs of settlements that will remain under Israeli control. The time has come for a change, and I am absolutely determined to accomplish it. I think the time is right, and I think the Israeli electorate is ready. The fact that, after having said in the most explicit way what my ideas are, we came out of these elections as the largest party is, I think, a testament to the determination of the Israeli electorate to move forward. (Washington Post)
U.S., Europe Cut Aid to Palestinians
by Glenn Kessler
The United States and the European Union Friday formally suspended projects and aid that might benefit the Hamas-led Palestinian government in a bid to pressure the radical Islamic group to recognize Israel and renounce violence. The U.S. aid cut was especially dramatic, with a freeze or termination of about half of $600 million that Congress had appropriated to assist the Palestinians. (Washington Post)
Hamas Foreign Minister: "I Dream of a Map Without Israel"
by Khaled Abu Toameh
 Newly-installed Palestinian Authority Foreign Minister Mahmoud Zahar last week reiterated Hamas's desire to eliminate Israel and replace it with an Islamic state. "I dream of hanging a huge map of the world on the wall at my Gaza home which does not show Israel on it," Zahar said in an interview. "I hope that our dream to have our independent state on all historic Palestine (will materialize)." This dream, he added, "will become real one day. I'm certain of this because there is no place for the state of Israel on this land." (Jerusalem Post)
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Israel's President Asks Olmert to Form Government
 Interim Prime Minister Ehud Olmert received the formal nod last week to form a government, which he has pledged would set Israel's permanent borders within four years with or without Palestinian consent. "I have the honor to announce that I have decided to ask member of parliament Ehud Olmert to form the government," President Moshe Katsav said after meeting Olmert. (Reuters)
Debunking the Newest - and Oldest - Jewish Conspiracy: A Reply to Mearsheimer-Walt "Working Paper"
by Alan Dershowitz
  What would motivate two recognized academics to issue a compilation of previously made assertions that they must know will be used by overt anti-Semites to argue that Jews have too much influence, that will give an academic imprimatur to crass bigotry, and that will place all Jews in government and the media under suspicion of disloyalty to America? I challenge Mearsheimer and Walt to look me in the eye and tell me that because I am a proud Jew and a critical supporter of Israel, I am disloyal to my country. (Kennedy School of Government-Harvard University)
Israel's Brain Breaks World Record
by Navit Zomer
Israel is the world champion in the ratio of the number of engineers per residents, with 13 engineers per 1,000 people compared to 10 engineers per 1,000 people in Japan and the United States. (Ynet News)
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