After his Wednesday meeting with visiting US President George W. Bush, Prime Minister Ehud Olmert announced at a press conference that he remains committed to the Annapolis Conference agreement, hoping to reach an agreement with the Palestinian Authority by year’s end.

The prime minister stated that borders, right of return and other key issues are being discussed, hoping that if agreement is reached, the difficult issue of Yerushalayim will be addressed.

The prime minister made reference to the Iranian threat, stating once again that Tehran’s nuclear program is undoubtedly the single largest regional threat.

Regarding rocket attacks from Hamas-controlled Gaza, Olmert stated that to date, the response to Hamas has been restrained and if left with no other alternatives, Israel’s military response will be significantly harsher.

Adding to the prime minister’s difficulties was the timing of the Wednesday rocket attack, when a Grad rocket slammed into Ashkelon’s Chutzot Shopping Center, injuring four people seriously, leaving a total of some 80 plus victims injured.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)