Olmert to Russia's Jews: Pack your bags
During meeting with members of Jewish community in Moscow, prime minister says 'Israel will do anything in order to return kidnapped soldiers home.' He also calls on Jews to 'come live in Israel'
Olmert also called on Russia's Jews to "pack your bags and come and live in Israel."
Speaking to families of soldiers serving in the IDF, Olmert added: "We love you also when we don’t show it. Sometimes we also don’t show it to ourselves. Together we will make a better State of Israel. The sooner you come to Israel, the better for us, for you and for your children serving in the army."
Olmert wrote down the names of the family members who arrived at the meeting and have relatives in the IDF and noted: "I will take care of the children until you arrive in Israel."
The prime minister later met with bereaved Jewish families whose children were killed during their military service.
'Israel will be better' (Photo: Reuters)
Earlier, the prime minister met with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, who said that "Khaled Mashaal is a negative element, which is preventing Hamas from becoming moderate."
Lavrorv added that "the fact Russia is meeting with Hamas members does not mean it supports them."
Olmert said that Israel wants to advance the negotiations with the Palestinians, but is insisting on the Quartet's terms. The prime minister is expected to return to Israel on Thursday evening.
Olmert speaks to Jewish community (Photo: Reuters)
The main issue Olmert dealt with during his visit to Russia was the Iranian nuclear program. In a tete-a-tete meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Olmert told him that "Iran should be afraid of what might happen to it. If it is not afraid, it will not refrain from developing nuclear weapons."
In a press briefing later, the prime minister added that the issue of sanctions on Iran was a consequence of the discussions and not the main issue.
During his meetings with President Putin and his Defense Minister Sergey Ivanov, Olmert got the impressions that the Russians fully understand that possibility that Iran may possess nuclear weapons.
The prime minister told President Putin that he understands the great responsibility placed on Russia and the United States in preventing the development of nuclear weapons by Iran, but admitted that he knows Russia and Israel do not see the issue eye to eye.
During the meeting, it was made clear that the Russians are very concerned over the development of nuclear weapons by North Korea and about the nuclear test held about 200 kilometers from the Russian border.
Referring to the kidnapped soldiers, Olmert said following his meeting with Putin that there was no breakthrough on the issue.
"He exerted efforts according to my request to release the kidnapped, although these efforts have not led to any outcomes yet," Olmert noted.
The prime minister added that he does not plan to release Palestinian prisoners into Hamas' hands.
