Checking up on the Olmert’s promises

Headlines were made last week when Ehud Olmert promised to reduce checkpoints in the West Bank as a way of providing support to Mahmoud Abbas in his conflict with Hamas. He also promised to release a portion, one hundred million dollars worth of money which belongs to the Palestinians anyway. In addition he promised to release prisoners in order to secure the release of Gilad Shalit.

Jordan TV via Mosaic on LINK TV
A progress report

1. The checkpoints are increasing
2. A new settlement has been approved to be built in contravention of International law and even US demands, so says the State department.
3. No prisoners have been released and there are no plans to release any.
4. Israeli army attacked Ramallah

According to Yossi Sarid, writing in Haaretz, the army is in total control.

Roadblocks were not removed, because the Israel Defense Forces is only prepared for “alleviations.” Prisoners were not released, because the Shin Bet also has a say in the matter. At the most, the IDF is willing to put up with more outposts and more mobile homes, because it has no power to evacuate, only to build and beef-up and cover up the settlers’ iniquities.

US broadcasters reported the original story but none will follow up.