Never running out of surprises, Prime Minister Ehud Olmert on Monday caught members of the Knesset Foreign Affairs & Defense Committee off guard when he announced that “someone in Israel” is working to establish a channel of dialogue with the Syrians. Mr. Olmert stated that this may only be done through official government channels.

At first, the committee members believed Olmert was referring to his defense minister or foreign minister, but both of them, Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni and Defense Minister Ehud Barak both denied such actions. Most eyes are now pointed at opposition leader Binyamin Netanyahu.

Other items on Olmert’s agenda included a statement that an agreement would not be reached with the PA (Palestinian Authority) by the end of 2008. Referring to the increase in terrorist activities among the eastern Jerusalem Arab population, he added the situation “demands thought”.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)