Prime Minister Ehud Olmert on Sunday defended his position against a recent attack from his defense minister, Labor Party leader Ehud Barak.

Barak recently stated that Prime Minister Olmert’s inability to reach a decision regarding a truce with Hamas stemmed from political considerations rather than from logistical considerations. He blamed considerations surrounding ongoing Kadima Party primaries for the nation’s leader’s inability to make a decision to order an IDF assault in Gaza or move ahead with a truce with Hamas.

Olmert rejected Barak’s statement, stating he as prime minister is aware of his immense responsibility every day, and is weighing the possibilities and the ramifications of various scenarios, adding he is aware that the southern areas must be as quiet at the northern ones.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)