Olmert: Isolated West Bank settlements threaten Israel

Incoming prime minister Ehud Olmert laid out his vision for Israel’s future borders in a major policy speech to parliament today.

He said the nation needed to rid itself of isolated West Bank settlements, but would maintain control over large settlement blocs forever.

Olmert, whose Kadima Party won March elections, said he preferred to reach a deal with the Palestinians through negotiations based on the internationally-backed “road map” peace plan.

But if that failed, he would act unilaterally to create “desirable” borders for Israel, which will be significantly different from the current borders, he said.

Meanwhile, Israel’s parliament elected its first woman speaker in the country’s 58-year history today when it chose Dalia Itzik of the ruling Kadima Party to lead the parliament.

Nobel Peace Prize laureate Shimon Peres handed the podium to Itzik, 53, after her election.

“She comes from the nation, she represents the nation, she knows the pulse of the nation and she loves the nation … she is a very smart woman,” Peres said.

Itzik called on the parliament to pull together during a tough term, when incoming prime minister Ehud Olmert is expected to push ahead with his plan to withdraw from parts of the West Bank.