Ehud Olmert speech: key excerpts

Excerpts from Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's speech, in which he said he was reaching out "for peace".

Already at the time of Israel's birth, Ben-Gurion extended his hand in peace to the Arab nations. His hand was rejected, but it remains extended. I extend my hand in peace to our Palestinian neighbours, hoping that it will not be rejected.

Mr Olmert said he was reaching out for peace

I wholeheartedly identify with the statements made by Ben-Gurion regarding the duty of every government in Israel to strive for peace: "I would consider it a great sin, not only towards our generation but towards future generations as well, if we did not do everything in our power to reach a mutual understanding with our Arab neighbours""...

You, the Palestinian people, in the south and east, in the Gaza Strip and Judea and Samaria (West Bank), stand, these very days, on the threshold of an historic crossroads...

The uncompromising radicalism of your terror organisations - the Hamas, Jihad, the Aqsa Martyrs' Brigade and other organisations - did not bring you closer to attaining the goal which I am convinced many of you share - the establishment of a Palestinian state, which will guarantee you a future of prosperity and which will exist in good neighbourly relations side-by-side with the State of Israel.

We are ready and willing to pursue this path, and persevere until we reach the sought-after solution. If a new Palestinian government is established - a government which will be committed to the principles of the Quartet, implement the roadmap and bring about the release of Gilad Shalit, I will invite Abu Mazen to meet with me immediately, in order to conduct a real, open, genuine and serious dialogue between us...

In the framework of this dialogue, and in accordance with the roadmap, you will be able to establish an independent and viable Palestinian state...

These borders will be different from the territories currently under Israel's control. I understand the importance which the Palestinian society attributes to the issue of prisoners.

I hereby declare that with Gilad Shalit's release and his return safe and sound to his family, the Israeli government will be willing to release many Palestinian prisoners, even those who have been sentenced to lengthy terms.

I believe that many of you are weary of the dreadful price which you pay as a result of the violent extremism of the terror organisations prevailing in your streets.

I believe that many of you yearn for a new chapter which we can open together in the bloody history of our relations...

We, Israel, will agree to the evacuation of many territories and communities we have created. You must stop the terror, violence and efforts to harm Israeli citizens in the south, centre and north, recognise our right to live in peace and security next to you, and relinquish your demand for the realisation of the right of return.

It is a right goal, a natural goal, an attainable goal. If you demonstrate the necessary determination and discipline, you will find in us a ready partner...