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Bush Pledges "Unwavering Support" for Israel
by Yitzhak Benhorin
 American President George Bush promised to take an aggressive stand against the Hamas government, to press for a "difficult decision" to be taken in the UN's Security Council on the Iranian nuclear issue, and to safeguard Israel's security without wavering. Bush said and his government would have no contact with Hamas leaders of the Palestinian government until the group recognizes Israel. "America's commitment to Israel's security is strong, enduring and unshakeable," Bush said in a speech in Washington, speaking to the American Jewish Committee, which is marking its 100th anniversary. (Ynet News)
Hamas Brands Convergence a Declaration of War
by Khaled Abu Toameh
Hamas spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri said Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's convergence plan - to withdraw from some settlements in the West Bank and to keep large settlement blocs under Israeli sovereignty - was "a real declaration of war on our people and we will confront it with all available means." (Jerusalem Post)
Wolfensohn Steps Down as Quartet Envoy with Dig at Hamas
by Akiva Eldar
 James D. Wolfensohn, ending more than a year's service as the Quartet envoy to Israel and the Palestinians, singled out the rise of the Hamas government as a main stumbling block to further movement in Middle East diplomacy."The Palestinians need to understand that it is not business as usual," Wolfensohn said, adding in a reference to Hamas, "Here you have a Palestinian group which has said it wants to destroy its neighbor. I guess if Canada did that to the United States, or New Zealand did it to Australia, the reaction would not be very [positive]," he said. (Ha'aretz)
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New Israeli Government Takes Office
by Jeffrey Heller
 Israel's new government took office on Thursday under Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, who pledged it would implement a plan to remove isolated Jewish settlements in the occupied West Bank but keep major enclaves forever. In a policy speech to parliament, which later voted 65-49 to approve his coalition government, Olmert also voiced deep concern over Iran's nuclear program, accusing the Islamic Republic of targeting the Jewish state for annihilation. (Reuters)
See also Olmert's Cabinet Includes Some Familiar Veterans, Some New Faces by Dan Baron
Thumbnail biographical sketches of the main players in Israel's new government. (JTA)
Israel Foils Plot to Kill Palestinian President
by Uzi Mahnaimi
 A Hamas plot to assassinate Mahmoud Abbas, the Palestinian president, has been thwarted after he was tipped off by Israeli intelligence. Hamas' military wing, the Izza Din Al-Qassem, had planned to kill Abbas at his office in Gaza, intelligence sources said. Abbas, who became president of the Palestinian Authority last year after the death of Yasser Arafat, was formally warned of the danger by the Israelis and cancelled a planned visit to the territory. (Times-UK)
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