Sources: Olmert held secret talks on West Bank

Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert (PBS.org)

JERUSALEM – Officials from Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's office held secret talks the past few days with aides of Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas pledging Olmert is willing to carry out Israeli withdrawals and hold immediate final status negotiations to create a Palestinian state, according to top political sources here.

The information comes after a government-appointed committee last week released a report slamming Olmert's decision-making process during last summer's war against the Lebanese Hezbollah militia. The report prompted mass demonstrations and widespread calls for Olmert to resign, including from the prime minister's own deputy, Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni.

WND reported in the weeks prior to the report's release Olmert, anticipating a major backlash, held meetings with leading leftist figures here pledging to carry out Israeli withdrawals in exchange for their continued support. The sources said Olmert told the leftist leaders he is willing to reach a final status agreement with the Palestinians, including an Israeli withdrawal from the West Bank, which borders Jerusalem and is within rocket range of Tel Aviv.

(Story continues below)

Today, Israeli political sources told WND secret talks were held with Abbas' aides in advance of a meeting between Olmert and Abbas. According to the sources, Olmert told Abbas' officials he is willing to evacuate large swaths of the West Bank and sign a final deal to create a Palestinian state.

Chief Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat confirmed to WND a meeting will be held between Olmert and Abbas in the coming days.

"There will be a meeting. We don't have an exact date but we've been in contact with our Israeli colleagues and hope to hold talks very soon leading to the implementation of the U.S.-backed roadmap, which calls for a Palestinian state," Erekat told WND.

Olmert's office said a meeting with Abbas will be set up but denied there were secret talks in which pledges were made to the Palestinians.

"I don't know anything about back-channel talks," said Olmert spokeswoman Miri Eisin.

An interim Lebanon war probe released one week ago blasted Olmert and the military high command for rushing into what it termed an unplanned conflict that cost 162 Israeli lives but failed to destroy Hezbollah or free two Israeli soldiers captured in a Hezbollah border raid.

Olmert and Peretz, the defense minister, were strongly criticized for failing to appropriately consult with military experts before or during the war. Neither has extensive military experience.

The wording of the report's criticism of Olmert was much harsher than expected, since the authors were appointed by Olmert.

Olmert last week said it "would not be right" for him to resign until he had corrected faults identified in the report.

The prime minister stated since the report didn't call for him to step down he shouldn't be asked to. But the interim report was not authorized to recommend the resignation of top officials.

During the war in Lebanon, more than 3,000 Hezbollah rockets were fired at Israeli population centers, killing 43 civilians. Israeli troop casualties totaled 119, with many soldiers killed by anti-tank fire during periods the soldiers were ordered to stand down and maintain positions outside Lebanese cities and villages.

Since the war, there have been widespread calls for Olmert to resign, culminating in a massive rally last week in Tel Aviv attracting upwards of 200,000 people. The prime minister has faced devastatingly low poll numbers the past few days, but some analysts speculated his ratings could rise if he reached out to his leftist base and conducted negotiations with the Palestinian Authority or Syria.

This week., U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice canceled a trip to Israel, reportedly out of concern for the political turmoil threatening Olmert's government.

"There's obviously a lot of politics in Israel that they are working through at this point," said State Department Spokesman Sean McCormack.

But Erekat told WND the Palestinians are willing to negotiate with Olmert in spite of the state of political affairs in Jerusalem.

"Look, we have our own turmoil in Palestinian politics, but that shouldn't delay us from pursuing an agreement," he said.

Are you a representative of the media who would like to interview the author of this story? Let us know.

Related offers:

Definitive work on Mideast – available only here!

"Everlasting Hatred: The Roots of Jihad"

FREE! "The Politically Incorrect Guide to Islam (and the Crusades)"

"Israel in Crisis"

"Myths and Facts: A Guide to the Arab-Israeli Conflict"

Perfect gift! Compass that points to Jerusalem

Previous stories:

Terrorists: War report 'proves Israel losing'

New Israeli leader without elections?

Olmert promising leftists Israeli withdrawal

Olmert sent soldiers 'needlessly' to their deaths?

Olmert's government will fall, says Jumblatt

Israel to military leaders: Keep dissent quiet

Israel loses Lebanon war

Israel arrests suspected Hezbollah spy

Soldiers from Iran killed in Lebanon

Israel attacks Palestinian base in Lebanon

Television news helping Hezbollah

'Hezbollah agents operating in Israel'

'Allah, bring rockets upon Tel Aviv'

Terrorist: Olmert's statements embolden us

Palestinians giving heavy weapons to Hezbollah

'Hezbollah is winning the war'

Abbas official: Prepare for 'escalated battle'

Syrian group claims it attacked Israel

Israel not to blame for Qana deaths?

'Black spinster' label pinned on Condi Rice

'Down with America' rally threatens Rice

Israeli targets in U.S. on heightened alert

Iran soldiers killed in Lebanon transferred to Tehran via Syria

U.S. to give Israel week to complete offensive?

Report: Hamas, Fatah OK unilateral cease-fire

Palestinian terrorists prepare to target U.S.

'We'll attack Israel's international airport'

Violence in Israel caused by 'gay' event?

'Miracles' amid deadly rocket attacks in Israel

Tel Aviv under rocket alert

Report: Syrians shoot at Israel

Report: Syrians shoot at Israel

Jumblatt: Don't bomb Beirut

Iran warns Israel of 'fierce response'

Hezbollah rockets rain on Jewish state

Kidnapped Israeli soldiers separated?

Ex-defense minister: Israel has lost its deterrence

West Bank rocket war is on

Terrorists claim 2nd West Bank rocket attack

Palestinian rockets attack 25 miles from Tel Aviv

Hamas rocket attack 'act of war'

White House tells rabbis U.S. won't pressure Israel

Israel drawing agreement for soldier's release

3rd Israeli kidnapped?

Report: Doctor treated captured Israeli soldier

Global community slams Gaza incursion

Fears grow of 2nd Israeli kidnapping

Terrorists claim to WND: Another Israeli kidnapped

Iran, Syria press Hamas to keep Israeli soldier