Peace with Israel's neighbors is "within reach", the country's prime minister Ehud Olmert has told the opening plenary session of the United Jewish Communities' General Assembly in Jerusalem. He said he would continue to push for peace with the Palestinians and Syria in his remaining three months as prime minister. Israel will go to the polls for general elections on 10 February 2009. "Peace with our neighbors we leave to our children," Olmert said. "It is within reach."
Before 3,000 to 4,000 lay and professional leaders of the North American Jewish federation system gathered at the International Convention Center, Olmert lauded some of his accomplishments as prime minister and stressed the importance of a positive relationship between Israel and the Diaspora. He spoke highly of the Jewish Agency for Israel's MASA initiative, which provides scholarships to young American adults who participate in long-term programs in Israel. He also encouraged the audience members to lobby their home government to press Iran to cease its pursuit of nuclear weapons. "It must become more costly for Iran to pursue nuclear weapons than it is to give it up," said Olmert, who is leaving office under intense scrutiny over allegations of financial improprieties.
The Israeli prime minister also praised two officials of the federation system's international arms who are rumored to be running for office as members of the Kadima Party, Jewish Agency chairman Ze'ev Bielski and the director of UJC's Israel office, Nachman Shai.
Speaking before the same audience, Israel's opposition leader Benjamin Netanyahu pledged to continue talks with the Palestinians if elected prime minister, saying he would base such talks on economic development. Netanyahu said a government under his leadership would work to boost the Palestinian economy as a springboard for, and alongside, diplomatic talks.
