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Daily Echo | Shipping | Cruise ships, liners and more about Southampton Docks
When news happens, text SDE and your photos or videos to 80360. Or contact us by email and phone.
Summer getaway begins as travellers are warned about possible delays
9:13am Friday 25th July 2014
BRACE yourself – the great summer getaway is starting. That is the message from traffic experts as millions are expected to cram on to roads across the country as they head off on their holidays.
£5m boost for submarines in Hampshire
11:18am Wednesday 23rd July 2014
HAMPSHIRE companies have today received a £5m funding boost to develop cutting-edge technology for unmanned boats and submarines.
HMS Illustrious in Hampshire for the last time
3:49pm Tuesday 22nd July 2014
The Royal Navy's helicopter carrier HMS Illustrious is to sail into its home port for the final time today ahead of it being retired next month.
24: Live Another Day - Southampton to feature in finale
2:44pm Tuesday 15th July 2014
Chemicals meant for Syrian weapons arrive in Hampshire
1:54pm Tuesday 15th July 2014
ABOUT 200 tonnes of chemicals that would have been used to make deadly weapons in Syria have arrived in Hampshire.
Largest ever warship named by Queen
2:33pm Friday 4th July 2014
The largest warship ever built in the UK has been officially named at a ceremony attended by the Queen, Prime Minister David Cameron and First Minister Alex Salmond.
UK's biggest ever warship to be named today
5:00am Friday 4th July 2014
THE ROYAL Navy's biggest ever ship – part of which was built in Hampshire – will be officially named by the Queen later today.
Huge bill for divers after taking from shipwrecks
3:45pm Wednesday 2nd July 2014
Two divers have been ordered to pay a total of £63,500 in fines and costs for salvaging items on an ''industrial scale'' from shipwrecks in The Solent, including First World War submarines, according to the Marine and Coastguard Agency (MCA).
Delay shipyard closure until Scots vote, says MP
9:54am Friday 27th June 2014
THE closure of a Hampshire shipyard should be shelved at least until after Scotland votes on independence, an MP has told the Government.
Grand plans for city's Maritime Festival
2:09pm Friday 20th June 2014
SOUTHAMPTON residents are being urged to support a two-day festival celebrating the city's maritime history.
Up to 25 new jobs to be created as dockside expands
3:30pm Wednesday 18th June 2014
A SPECIAL topping out ceremony has been held to mark the final touches of a dockside warehouse that is creating 25 new jobs.
Prime Minister criticised as city braces itself for new port battle
6:00am Tuesday 17th June 2014
FIRST we had cruise wars, now a new front is opening in the war between Southampton and its port rival Liverpool.
Sailing legend launches bid to rescue famous ruin
9:10am Friday 13th June 2014
SAILING heroine Tracy Edwards has launched a bid to rescue from ruin the famous boat she sailed into the record books on 25 years ago.
Chemicals meant for Syrian weapons heading for Hampshire
5:57pm Monday 9th June 2014
A SHIPMENT of 150 tonnes of chemicals originally stockpiled to make deadly weapons by the Syrian regime will pass through a Hampshire port.
24 to be filmed in Southampton
5:00am Tuesday 3rd June 2014
Action hero Jack Bauer is heading to Southampton as he continues his mission to save the world from terrorists plotting to murder millions.
Boy, six, fights for life after being found at bottom of pool on cruise ship
3:09pm Wednesday 28th May 2014
A SIX-YEAR-OLD is fighting for his life after he was found unconscious at the bottom of a swimming pool on Southampton-based a cruise ship
Nine cruise ships in two days prompts council to issue traffic warning
BRACE yourselves. That is the message to motorists who are being warned to expect delays in Southampton city centre as NINE cruise ships dock in the city today and tomorrow.
Families of missing sailors to meet foreign secretary
2:23pm Tuesday 20th May 2014
THE families of the four yachtsmen missing in the Atlantic are heading to Westminster for talks with Foreign Secretary William Hague.
MP calls for rescue search to resume for yacht crew
11:09am Monday 19th May 2014
An MP has backed calls by the families and colleagues of four Britons who went missing when a yacht capsized in the mid-Atlantic Ocean for the American authorities to relaunch the search and rescue mission to find them.
Dad of missing sailor pleas for renewed search
6:00am Monday 19th May 2014
THE FATHER of a Hampshire sailor missing at sea has pleaded for authorities to restart the search for his son.
Traffic warning with six cruise ships due in port
5:00am Friday 16th May 2014
MOTORISTS are bracing themselves for traffic chaos as six cruise liners visit Southampton.
Divers admit taking £250,000 of artefacts from shipwrecks
12:31pm Thursday 15th May 2014
TWO divers have pleaded guilty to taking items thought to be worth more than £250,000 from shipwrecks off the UK coast.
Royalty visits Hampshire submarine
2:57pm Monday 12th May 2014
The Duke of Cambridge has downed a tot of rum in a ritual for newly qualified submariners as he attended the rededication ceremony of the only surviving British Second World War-era submarine.
Ship abandons docking due to high winds
11:05am Monday 12th May 2014
HIGH winds forced a Southampton cruise ship to abandon its scheduled stop at a European port and head home.
VIDEO: Dazzling firework display sends Three Queens on their way
7:44am Saturday 10th May 2014
A DAZZLING display of fireworks cascaded over Cunard's three Queens last night in a spectacular end to a day of celebration marking the tenth anniversary of the liner Queen Mary 2.
Duke given a tour of Cunard flagship QM2
8:09am Saturday 10th May 2014
THE Duke of Edinburgh shared a joke with crew members as he was given a behind-the-scenes tour of Queen Mary 2.
Duke of Edinburgh is guest of honour as Queen Mary 2 celebrates tenth anniversary
8:02am Saturday 10th May 2014
DECADE after watching as Queen Mary 2 was officially named in Southampton, the Duke of Edinburgh was back on board the liner for a royal visit yesterday.
Proud day for the city as the Three Queens arrive
7:55am Saturday 10th May 2014
AS THE first light of dawn seeped across the early morning sky over the Solent the stage was set for a memorable celebration which only Southampton delivers with such style and confidence.
Three Queens arrive in city to celebrate QM2's 10th anniversary
4:00am Friday 9th May 2014
Southampton's three Queens arrived in the city this morning for a day of celebrations to mark Queen Mary 2's 10th anniversary with a spectacular fireworks display.
11 of the best photos of the Three Queens in Southampton
11:01am Friday 9th May 2014
Here is a selection of the best images taken today as Cunard's Three Queens arrived in Southampton this morning.
VIDEO: Three Queens arrive in Southampton
10:14am Friday 9th May 2014
Cunard have released footage showing the Three Queens arriving in Southampton this morning.
Where to see Cunard's Three Queens for QM2 celebrations
10:54am Thursday 8th May 2014
A FANTASTIC fusillade of fireworks will soar into the night sky over Southampton in a spectacular finale to a day-long celebration marking the tenth anniversary of the liner, Queen Mary 2.
Royal Princess to return to Southampton
6:00am Thursday 8th May 2014
Royal Princess, the 141,000 ton cruise ship named in Southampton by the Duchess of Cambridge in June last year, is set to return to the city today.
Saints star visits crew of HMS Daring
4:46pm Wednesday 7th May 2014
THEY dedicate their lives to representing their country - and he hopes to be doing the same this summer.
Three Queens set sail for Southampton
11:36am Wednesday 7th May 2014
Three of the world's most famous ships are heading for Southampton for the tenth anniversary of the Cunard flagship, Queen Mary 2 in the port on Friday.
Young boy's birthday date with royalty - and a massive fireworks display
6:00am Wednesday 7th May 2014
A HAMPSHIRE schoolboy is going to celebrate his 10th birthday in style - with royalty and one of the biggest fireworks displays the county has ever seen.
Balloon launch scrapped over fears it could harm wildlife
9:41am Tuesday 6th May 2014
PLANS to launch 10,000 balloons at a lavish Southampton party have been scrapped.
Royal guest to help celebrate QM2's tenth anniversary
11:00am Tuesday 6th May 2014
THE Duke of Edinburgh will cement his long- standing connection with Southampton-based shipping line Cunard when he visits the company's flagship, Queen Mary 2, in the port on Friday.
Luxury passeneger ferries built by Southampton engineers
10:51am Wednesday 30th April 2014
A Southampton-based firm has announced that the first boats in a series of eight luxury passenger ferries destined for Qatar have been delivered to the customer.
'Mini port' builder gets tour of the real thing
3:52pm Monday 21st April 2014
HE built his own version of Southampton dockyard in his spare bedroom – despite having never stepped on board a ship.
Four year battle over norovirus compensation
5:00am Friday 18th April 2014
A HAMPSHIRE pensioner has won a four-year battle for compensation after multiple norovirus outbreaks on board a ship.
Marchwood Military Port Masterplan
11:18am Wednesday 16th April 2014
SELLING a key Hampshire military base is a critical aim of an ambitious masterplan to breathe life into the Solent's economy.
Southampton is 'the Heathrow of cruise ships'
10:50am Tuesday 15th April 2014
Policeman saves woman from drowning
2:34pm Sunday 13th April 2014
A POLICEMAN heroically saved a woman from drowning in the Solent.
Landmark tug to feature on TV
6:00am Friday 11th April 2014
SHE tendered some of Southampton's best known liners and played her part in the Second World War.
Lifeboat falls on sailor's head at docks
12:30pm Thursday 10th April 2014
A SAILOR had to be rescued from a ship at Southampton docks last night after a lifeboat fell on him.
Search for youngster to be part of QM2's tenth birthday celebrations
11:51am Thursday 10th April 2014
THE search is on for a special local youngster to play a key role in the tenth anniversary celebrations of Southampton liner Queen Mary 2.
Schoolchildren all at sea - thanks to ABP donation
11:33am Thursday 10th April 2014
HUNDREDS of young people in Southampton can have a taste of sea life thanks new sailing academy taster sessions.
Cruise ship to undergo emergecy repairs
1:23pm Friday 4th April 2014
PASSENGERS on a Southampton-based cruise ship will have to spend an additional three days in Barcelona as the vessel undergoes emergency repairs.
Cruise ship continues journey
9:48am Tuesday 1st April 2014
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Salem, NH — John M. Rose, 85, of Salem, N.H., died Thursday, April 18, at Salemhaven. John was born in Somerville, the son of the late Mary (Silva) and John F. Rose.
He served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. John was a hard worker and a dedicated member of Mary Queen of Peace Church. He retired from Purity Supreme Supermarket.
He was predeceased by his wife, Margaret (Chatalian) Rose, and his step-son, Alfred Karamanoogian. He is survived by his stepchildren, Kenneth Karamanoogian of Bedford, N.H., Christine Dancereau of Florida, and Janet Reddick of New York.
ARRANGEMENTS: There are no calling hours. The Funeral Mass will be celebrated Thursday, April 25, at Mary Queen of Peace Church, 200 Lawrence Rd., Salem, NH. Burial is in Calvary Cemetery, Winchester, Mass. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in John's name to Salemhaven Resident Council Fund, 23 Geremonty Drive, Salem, NH 03079.

subset: commoncrawl


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The on Beacon Street, near Inman Square, could become a Whole Foods. The upscale supermarket is looking to acquire the market along with five other Johnnie's Foodmasters in the Boston area. We asked people for their thoughts on the matter, and there were . On Facebook, people were pretty much against the idea.
A new online portal allows Somerville residents to look at all sorts of data from the city: 311 data, information from Traffic and Parking, maps of reported rodent sightings and more. The portal is at https://data.somervillema.gov/. Readers have left some about interesting things they've found on the site.
Somerville Mayor Joseph Curtatone was in Tampa, Fla., the site of the Republican National Convention, to participate in the Democratic Party's "War Room," set up blocks away from the convention to counter comments made by Republican speakers.
Home sales through July were up in Somerville, we learned this week. July saw a 28 percent increase in home sales compared to July 2011. On the year through July, home sales were up 50 percent compared to the same period in 2011.
Somerville Public Schools announced some new department heads. At , Karen Woods is the new head of the science department; Jodi Remington is the new head of the English department, and Jim Nocito is the new head of the world language department. Lauren Mancini has been named director of Food and Nutrition Services for the school district.


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The Boone County Animal Shelter is allowing folks to adopt a pet without a fee for one day only.
Local News
We want your news and traffic tips! 888-537-9724 or click here.
Free Pet Adoptions Monday At Boone Co. Shelter
Snapperfest Opposition Plans Counter Event
Controversy may be brewing already around the turtle-wrestling competition known as Snapperfest.
20 Boone Co. Students Are Governor's Scholars
Twenty local high school students are being recognized as Kentucky Governor's Scholars: Kentucky's next generation of civic and economic leaders.
Construction Project Closes Two Ohio Co. Roads
Some Ohio County residents are finding their way around a new construction project which began Monday morning.
Stand-off In Lawrenceburg Comes To An End
A stand-off with police that began about 9pm last night in Lawrenceburg has come to an end. Eagle News was told police were called out to a home on East Williams Street near Short Street about 9pm last night on the report of a domestic dispute. About an hour after police arrived a few shots…
Firefighters Put Out Conservancy District Blaze
A fire damaged a Lawrenceburg Conservancy District building on Saturday morning.
Franklin Co. Native Becomes Nat'l Guard General
A Brookville High School graduate has become the first Franklin County native to rise to the rank of general since the Civil War.
Daniels Defends Eliminating State Worker Unions
Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels is defending his administration's moves to eliminate collective bargaining for state workers and the passage of right to work laws.
Ind. Attorney General Campaigning Along River
While most campaigning politicians utilize a bus, car, or plane to get from stooping point to stooping point, Indiana Attorney General Greg Zoeller will use a rather uncommon mode of transportation this week.
Two Injured In Ripley Co. ATV Accident
An ATV accident sent two Batesville residents to the hospital, one of them with serious injuries, on Sunday.


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Watch your speed! An officer's salary may depend on it
As cities across the nation struggle with budget deficits, it is becoming more apparent that police officers are being asked to write more tickets and attend more court hearings to prevent citations from being automatically thrown out and increase city revenue. Some police departments are not hiding this, either.


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Sales Success for Small Business
5 Ways to Sell Yourself and Your Business Without Feeling Slimy
Self-promotion is difficult for many small business owners. These tips will help you sell yourself and your small business when you are uncomfortable with sales.
7 Common Sales Objections and How to Overcome Them
Sales objections come with opportunity if you can formulate the right arguments. Use these arguments to overcome seven of the most common sales objections.
4 Techniques for Overcoming Sales Objections When Selling Makes You Antsy
Use these techniques below to overcome sales objections and get a step closer to closing the sale.
The Key to Identifying Sales Objections
Learn how to ask questions and listen for signs of common sales objections in order to identify and overcome objections.
How to Generate Sales Leads in Your Small Business
Successful small business owners have a system to find and cultivate sales leads. These tips will help you create your own efficient system.
Successful Sales Tips for Small Business Owners
Use these tips, resources and advice to sell your small business products and services more effectively.
How to Use Social Media for Customer Service
Social media can be a powerful customer service tool for small businesses. These tips to help you get started and stay on top of customer service through social media.
Sales Team Lessons from the World's Greatest Sales Force
They are a sales force of 3.7 million. Their products are not available in stores. Annual sales are $700 million in only 3 months of the year. Who is this incredible sales organization?
Choosing a Sales Incentive System
n sales, one of the most common ways to manage motivation is to use incentives. Here are some examples of popular sales incentive systems that can help you effectively boost your sales team's motivation.
Manage Your Customer Relationships or Perish
Reaching and nurturing customer relations are essential for a small business to survival. Central to managing any customer relationship is CRM or customer relationship management software. Discover the necessary survival strategy of managing customer relations with the technology of today.
7 Sure-Fire Ways to Build Your Referral Business
Finding the best qualified leads from your business does not come from a cold contact situation but from building a strong referral business. This week's feature looks at 7 tactics to drive the referral side of your small business.
Small Business Sales Strategies for a Tough Economy
Small business sales strategies to beat eroding margins, longer sales cycles and penny pinching clients. Five key tips to maximize your sales success.
9 Tips for Providing Excellent Customer Service
Providing excellent customer service requires a number of easy steps that create an ongoing process that's memorable to your customers. Here are nine ways to start providing great customer service right now.
Sales Strategy for Competitive Advantage
In today's economy, big and small businesses are seeking every opportunity to win sales through competitive advantages. Smart small business owners know a sales strategy can create a competitive advantage.
The 5 Biggest Sales Management Blunders
Learn the biggest sales management blunders and how you can avoid them. Spending the necessary time wearing your sales manager hat will help foster a rewarding culture and build a successful sales team to boost your business to new levels.
The 5 Myths of Sales Prospecting
Sales prospecting done right can have a huge impact on your sales revenue. It doesn't take an armor suit and great courage to deal with the fear of rejection during prospecting. Just keep an open mind to challenge the old school of sales and the myths of prospecting.
The 6 Keys of Fanatical Customer Testimonies
A fanatical customer testimony is worth more than 1000 words of bland sales copy. A compelling customer testimony validates the claims you make about how great your business is.
8 Secrets to a Knockout Business Presentation
The presentation is starting. Dim the lights. Time for a nap. These are the thoughts of many audiences subject to yet another boring business presentation. How can you awaken the cognitive powers of your audience? Start by learning the 8 secrets of a knockout business presentation.
Pricing Strategies for Small Business
The pricing strategy of your small business can ultimately determine your fate. Small business owners can ensure profitability and longevity by paying close attention to their pricing strategy.
The 8 Essentials of Corporate Gift Buying
Before you set out to find the perfect corporate gift for your clients, know the 8 essentials of corporate gift buying. Buying the perfect corporate gift for your clients has never been easier with the availability of products online and retail.
Dr. Seuss's Selling Technique
Most people have read the Dr. Seuss tale "Green Eggs & Ham", either as kids or to their children. What is interesting is the relevance this story has to selling. Learn the secrets of Dr. Seuss's selling technique and build your sales.
Ten Sure-Fire Trade Show Best Practices
Trade shows still continue to be big business for all businesses. According to The Center for Exhibition Industry Research (CEIR), business-to-business spending for trade shows is third to advertising and promotion. Learn 10 trade show best practices.
Seal the Deal in Seven Seconds
Can you close a sale in just seven seconds? You can do it faster if you use a sales technique to make a great first impression. Seven seconds is the average length of time you have to make a first impression.
Secrets of Selling to Big Corporations
Selling your services to big corporations is an attractive proposition. The contracts are larger than with small businesses and individuals, and often longer-term.
The Ten Commandments of Networking
"The Ten Commandments of Networking" from the Small Business Information Canada About.com site. Follow these top ten rules for greater networking success and more business.
Top Five Traits You Gotta Have to Sell
To understand the valuable qualities in selling, experts and business owners were asked what characteristics allow a salesperson to excel.
Make Your Trade Show Exhibit Successful
The key to great trade show exhibiting is marketing. But marketing is a very inexact science that leaves room for a multitude of errors to occur. Learn to avoid exhibitors' mistakes and increase your chances for a successful trade show exhibit.
10 Ways to Master the Trade Show Giveaways Game
Gift giving creates a favorable impression. However, how many promotional trade show giveaways do an effective job? Before jumping into the trade show giveaway game consider the following...
Consultant's Crack the Billable Hour Ceiling
No matter what type of business you're in, you can use intellectual property to crack the billable hours ceiling. Here are just some of the ways to start tapping into this resource today:
Selling to Executives (Entrepreneurs)
Selling to the C-Level is the surest way to shorten your sales cycle and reduce your cost of sale. Getting in to see senior executives can be tough, but by following these guidelines you'll be welcomed with open arms.
Association Directory
The Internet Public Library by the School of Information at the University of Michigan provides a comprehensive association and organization directory. Direct links to all the associations organized by category.
Business Networking Organization
The Business Network International (BNI) is "a business and professional networking organization that offers each member the opportunity to share ideas, contacts and referrals". Every year BNI members exchange millions of dollars of leads and business. Definitely a must to your networking roster.
Improve your Selling Skills.
SalesVault offers a full sales portal with tons of tools and tips to improve your sales strategies and skills. Includes sales links on the web and even sales testing profile companies.
U.S. Chamber of Commerce
Since 1912, small business owners have been using the Chamber of Commerce as a premier networking opportunity. Today the Chamber has over 3,000,000 members with 96% being small business. Other services are available to save your business time and money.
World's Best Sales Trainer
No sales website would be complete without a link to Tom Hopkins. In the world of selling, Hopkins is a legend with over 3 million students and several bestsellers including "How to Master the Art of Selling". Visit Tom's site and checkout the free resources to put your company in the top echelon.


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It's a big fundraising weekend for the lax boys of Rumson and Fair Haven. You can join the Dawgs in their fundraising efforts at two events. If you check out one of the events don't forget to take a picture and post it on Patch.
- Fundraiser Friday night at McLoones Rumrunner in Sea Bright.Tickets are $40. Top Dawgs, on sale for $100, include two tickets and name recognition at the event. Raffle tickets will be available for purchase at the door. All contributions to RFH Youth Lacrosse are Tax Deductible, Tax ID# 22-3727467. For more information, contact event organizers Peeka Tildesley (732) 747-3315 or Leslie Curran (732) 224-9374.
- Lacrosse Clinic for boys, third through sixth grade this Saturday at the . This is annual fundraiser where the high school boys help teach the younger boys. $60 for two Saturday sessions. 5-6:30 p.m. Contact Coach Chris Kerr (732) 842-0964 for more information.
- Program Play Day, where all the players in the program third through 12th grade will run from to the RFH turf. This is the first time in program history that all the players from each grade will practice together. The run begins at 1:30 p.m. Organizers hope to make it an annual event. Contact Coach Chris Kerr (732) 842-0964 for more information.
RFH Youth Lacrosse coordinates boys lacrosse in Fair Haven and Rumson for grades 3 – 12. The High School Boys component is the team at the high school and is 100% self-funded by the families and friends of RFH Youth Lacrosse.


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University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown
vs. Salem International (WV) Univ. - 12/04/05
Pitt-Johnstown Home Page
About Pitt-Johnstown
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2012-13 Recruits
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05-06 Schedule & Results
vs. Glenville State (WV) College - 11/18/05
vs. Tiffin (OH) University - 11/19/05
vs. Clarion University - 11/25/05
vs. West Chester University - 11/26/05
vs. Indiana University (PA) - 11/27/05
at Shippensburg University - 11/30/05
vs. Salem International (WV) Univ. - 12/04/05
vs. Clarion University - 12/07/05
at Slippery Rock University - 12/09/05
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at West Liberty State (WV) College - 01/23/06
at California University (PA) - 01/25/06
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at Columbia Union (MD) College - 02/04/06
at West Virginia State University - 02/06/06
at Anderson (S.C.) College - 02/11/06
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vs. Shepherd (WV) University
vs. University of District of Columbia - 03/01/06
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Women's Basketball Rolls, 76-47, Over Salem International In Sunday's Home Opener
Senior forward
Samantha Conner (Everett, Pa.)
scored a game-high 18 points and pulled down a game-high 11 rebounds to lead
Head Coach Jodi Gault's
Lady Cats to a 76-47 victory over Salem International (WV) University in Sunday's 2005-06 home opener in the Sports Center. Pitt Johnstown, winners of four staright games, improved to 5-2 on the season. Prior to the game, the Pitt Johnstown Athletic Department recognized
Coach Gault
with a plaque commemorating her 500th career victory.
Pitt Johnstown jumped out to a 16-0 before taking a 37-23 halftime lead. The Lady Cats increased their lead to 33 points with 3:46 to play in the second half, before going on to the 29-point victory.
, finished the game 8-11 from the field and 2-3 from the free-throw line. Her 11 rebounds moved her into 27th place on the Lady Cat All-time Rebounding List with 423 career rebounds. Junior guard
Allison Krischer (Johnstown, Pa.)
also scored 18 points to tie
for game-high honors.
added four rebounds, three assists and five steals, while junior forward
Jessica Zapf (Pittsburgh, Pa.)
rounded out the Lady Cats who scored in double figures with 12 points and eight rebounds. Junior forward
Jami Oaks (South Fork, Pa.)
scored eight points and grabbed four rebounds, and red-shirt freshman guard
Crystal Andrews (Johnstown, Pa.)
chipped in eight points, three rebounds, five assists and five steals. Senior guard
Jaclyn Schirf (Loretto, Pa.)
ended with five points and a game-high six steals for
Coach Gault's
The Lady Cat defense stepped-up again by creating 28 turnovers and turning them into 36 points. Pitt Johnstown also help Salem International to just 17-54 (31.5%) shooting from the field and 7-26 (26.9%) from behind the three-point line. Pitt Johnstown shot 45.2% (28-62) from the field and 74.1% (20-27) from the free-throw line. The Tigers made six of their seven free-throws. The Lady Lats also out rebounded Salem International, 44-32, including holding an 18-11 advantage on the offensive end.
Cali Pate scored 14 points, including three three-pointers, to lead Salem International. Jody Green tallied eight points, and Trisha Griffith pulled down a team-high nine rebounds for the Tigers, who dropped to 2-5 on the year.
Pitt Johnstown will host Clarion University on Wednesday at 6:00 p.m. as part of a doubleheader with the Mountain Cat men's basketball team. The Moutain Cats will play the Golden Eagles at 8:00 p.m.
Last Reviewed: December 4, 2005
Pitt-Johnstown, the regional leader educating for the RealWorld
Contact the Web Manager
Copyright © 2008, University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown, 450 Schoolhouse Road, Johnstown, PA 15904, 814-269-7000


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Advanced Search
Florida Virtual School, an online learning provider and technology developer, has launched Florida Virtual Global School (FLVGS). The new venture is designed to provide instruction to students around the country and around the world.
FLVGS incorporates instruction into a collaborative learning environment online to provide teacher-facilitated learning to individual students and in support of schools and districts.
"Education is evolving. The one-to-many approach to teaching that traditional schools offer no longer meets the needs of the 21st century learner," said Florida Virtual School Vice President Todd Hitchcock. "Florida Virtual Global School will engage students anytime, any place, creating a more dynamic learning experience that mirrors today's global economy. Certified, highly-qualified teachers will support student learning and provide access to a cross-section of experts who will supplement course work and address multiple learning styles and individual student needs."
Elaine McCall will serve as principal of the new Global School. She was previously involved with Florida Virtual School and has served as a district level curriculum supervisor at Alachua County School District in Florida.
The Global School will be modeled on Florida Virtual School's learning program and will offer 80 online courses, including AP and honors courses. It will also provide social networking and extracurricular activities. Further information, including course listings, can be found at the link below.
Read More:
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Narrow your search
The e-commerce giant acquires the team and technology behind shopping research Web site Decide.com.
US District Court Judge Denise Cote originally took issue with the settlement because Apple could end up only paying $70 million.
A businessman has taken it upon himself to set up Tesla chargers in 16 different Chinese cities between Beijing and his home in Guangzhou, due to a lack of charging stations.
Neil DeGrasse Tyson tells MSNBC that it's possible aliens have visited and already concluded that there is no intelligent life on Earth.
A new service predicts whether the price you see for an item you want is going to be as good tomorrow as it is today.
Rafe Needleman interviews Mike Fridgen, CEO of Decide.com
Any day now, your high school senior should be finding out which college he or she has been accepted to. Hopefully, there will be several great schools to choose from. In this Tech Minute, CNET's Kara Tsuboi provides some handy tech resources to aid your family in making this big decision.
To celebrate Valentine's weekend, Google releases a video of Explorers proposing to their loved ones. It's very something, but very what?
Sony is still deciding when -- or perhaps even if -- the PlayStation Now streaming gaming service will launch in Britain.
Why bother with writing malware when you can ride a skateboard? That seems to have been the thinking of a Target shoplifter in Florida.


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Product Recall: Voluntary recall of 260 cases of Velveeta Original Pasteurized Recipe Cheese Products. Click Here.
18 SKUs of Knudsen Cottage Cheese, 9 SKUs of Breakstone's Cottage Cheese, 5 SKUs of Simply Kraft Cottage Cheese and 2 SKUs of Daily Chef Cottage Cheese. Click Here.
COOK and stir chicken in large nonstick skillet on medium-high heat 3 min. or until no longer pink.
ADD water and seasoning mix; simmer on medium-low heat 5 min. or until chicken is done and sauce is thickened, stirring occasionally.
SPREAD beans onto tostada shells; top with layers of chicken mixture and remaining ingredients.


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vendor info...
Sweet Estelle's Baking Supply
A vintage inspired baking supply shop. I heart cupcakes + cookies, retro + kitsch.
product info: ...
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- Los Angeles / Orange County CA United States
The term 'Etsy' is a trademark of Etsy, Inc. This application uses the Etsy API but is not endorsed or certified by Etsy, Inc.


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· Mobile App Survey- You can access the mobile app survey from your smartphone by getting our free app: ForApple Users-http://greeleyschools.nutrislice.com/;For Android Users: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.nutrislice.schoollunch&hl=en Then select the "Take a Survey" button.
· Website Survey- To access this same survey through the District 6 Website, please go to www.greeleyschools.org/nutritionparentsurveyor www.greeleyschools.org/nutritionstudentsurvey
The survey is only 11 questions long and can be completed in under 5 minutes. All responses are kept confidential and will be used to improve our menu selections and service to customers. Thank you!
Positive – Encouraging self and others
Respect – Treating others, property, and self with value and worth
Integrity – Doing the right thing 100% of the time
Determination – Never giving up; Never saying "I can't"
Excellence – Your personal desire to strive for your very best
Buy Books, Complete in Contests, Win Prizes
6th graders created a new program called Bully Busters to help spread kindness not hate.
Zuleica makes a positive impact at Heath Middle School by her enthusiasm for learning, her passion to treat everyone with respect and kindness, and her commitment to help make Heath the place to be! ~ Amanda Miller, Heath Middle School counselor
Summit is a free program that allows students to have extra educational time with a certified teacher. The classes have a strong focus on literacy, math, and science. The classes are designed to help students grow academically.
10:30 AM - 1:30 PM School Kickoff Community Celebration


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Don't get me wrong: I really enjoy "I Will Always Love You." My favorite songs are usually the up-tempo ones, the ones with a little more attitude. These are my five very favorite ones.
5. I Have Nothing. Ok, this one's a ballad.
4. My Name Is Not Susan. Not one of her best-known hits, but it does merit a mention in "Whatta Man" by Salt N Pepa with En Vogue.
3. Exhale
2. I'm Your Baby Tonight. I've always absolutely loved the choreography in this one.
1. I'm Every Woman


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Distinguished NJIT Physicist To Receive International Medal For Space Science
The Committee on Space Research (COSPAR) will present next week the William Nordberg Medal for space science to Louis J. Lanzerotti, distinguished professor of physics at New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT). Lanzerotti, a member of the National Academy of Engineering and the International Academy of Astronautics, is chairing the 20-person, blue-ribbon panel to study whether or not to prolong the mission of the Hubble Space Telescope (HST). Lanzerotti is also a consulting physicist to Bell Laboratories-Lucent Technologies, Murray Hill.
The ceremony will take place on July 19, 2004 at 5:45 p.m. local time in the Paris town hall, France.
The late William Nordberg was an earth scientist, who directed space applications at NASA's Goddard space Flight Center. Nordberg pioneered the use of remote sensing to investigate Earth and its environment. The Nordberg Medal is awarded to a scientist who has made a distinguished contribution to the application of space science in a field covered by COSPAR. Since 1988, there have been eight recipients of the medal.
Lanzerotti will receive the medal during the inaugural ceremony of the 35th COSPAR Scientific Assembly. The assembly will be in session July 18-25, 2004. COSPAR was founded in 1958 in London after the Russian launch of the first earth satellite. COSPAR promotes an international level of scientific research in space, with an emphasis on the exchange of results, information and opinions.
Lanzerotti is a member of the Center for Solar-Terrestrial Research, which operates out of NJIT's main campus, in Newark, as well as at Big Bear Solar Observatory, in Big Bear Lake, Calif. California Institute of Technology transferred management of the well-known solar observatory in 1997 to NJIT.
NASA has twice recognized Lanzerotti's contributions to science with the agency's Distinguished Scientific Achievement Medal; he has also received the NASA Distinguished Public Service Medal.
The American Geophysical Union named Lanzerotti in February of 2003 editor of Space Weather: The International Journal of Research and Applications. This new journal is the first of its kind devoted to the emerging field of space weather and its impact on technical systems, including telecommunications, electric power and navigation.
Lanzerotti's work at NJIT continues to investigate many unanswered questions about the sun and its effects on the earth's space environment. Over a career spanning four decades, he has contributed to research that includes studies of space plasmas and geophysics, and engineering problems related to the impact of space processes on terrestrial technologies, as well as those used in space.
Lanzerotti holds a B.S. in engineering physics from the University of Illinois and masters and doctoral degrees in physics from Harvard University. He has authored more than 500-refereed publications, is co-author or co-editor of three books and has seven issued or filed patents.
COSPAR provides scientists with a forum to discuss issues affecting scientific space research. The organization once helped maintain an open bridge between East and West for cooperation in space. With the decline in rivalry between the two blocks, COSPAR has focused on the progress of research carried out with the use of space means (including balloons).


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photo by Bill Cairns
Susan Damone Balch's fly fishing and leadership skills have been an inspiration to many over the years. She was the program director for Casting for Recovery for 7 years, during which she touched the lives of hundreds, if not thousands of women while introducing them to the sport of fly fishing. In addition to being a talented fly fisher and dynamic woman who is a friend to many, she is a superb quilt artist who creates stunning quilt masterpieces – many with unique fishing themes like you will find nowhere else. Check out Susan's website: www.fishnquilt.com
Vicky Lane is
another talented artist and good friend
who creates – Vicky's Fishies
clothing with incredible fishing themes. Her
daughter, Kara,
is the youngest of the bunch of "Fishing Sisters" who is also a
talented instructor.
Paul Bucherri ties flies that have caught fish from around the world and now he's making his famously effective "PB" flies available to all anglers. The PB fly selection is exclusively offered through Flies For Selective Fish. Don't be fooled by cheap imitations. The quality of PB flies is the best you'll find anywhere. The PB collection of patterns is proven under every condition imaginable. Best of all they are proven to catch selective fish and fisherman.
Kiki Galvin has been
fly fishing for more than 40 years. In 2002 she was certified
by Reel Women Adventures
Kiki's website: Ms. Guided Fly Fishing
Home | About |Women's Fly Fishing Institute | Photo Gallery | Contact Us


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- Publisher: Atari
- Release Date: Oct 30, 2007
- Summary: The Witcher combines spectacular and visually stunning action with deep and intriguing storyline. The game is set in a world created by best-selling Polish author Andrzej Sapkowski. The world shares many common features with other fantasy lands, but there are also some distinguishing elements setting it apart from others. The game features the player as a "Witcher", a warrior who has been trained to fight since childhood, subjected to mutations and trials that transformed him. He earns his living killing monsters and is a member of a brotherhood founded long ago to protect people from werewolves, the undead, and a host of other beasts. It's an action oriented, visually stunning, easy to use, single player RPG, with a deep and intriguing storyline. [CD Projekt]… Expand
- Developer: CD Projekt Red Studio
- Genre(s): Action RPG
- Cheats: On GameFAQs
- More Details and Credits »
Score distribution:
Positive: 40 out of 50
Mixed: 10 out of 50
Negative: 0 out of 50
Come for the role playing and story, but as soon as someone speaks, please turn down the volume to save your ears some distress.
The game is immersive and while you can pause it, consider choices and the like, this is a game that will ask you to think and make choices, not just hack 'n slash your way to glory. The leveling system and alchemy elements are very nicely done.
This intangible attribute of the game is difficult to put into words, but Geralt's personality, the mature humor, the bizarre characters, and the sex and drugs combine in odd ways to create a game better than the sum of its parts.
The Witcher's quality emanates from the understanding CD Projekt have held on Sapkowski's work. Engaging and thought provoking throughout with a rich gameworld that is effortlessly layered, The Witcher matches the style and substance typically associated with a Bioware RPG - perhaps the finest recommendation we can make.
Perhaps not one for the hardcore role player, but an FPS gamer or MMO addict might well find The Witcher to be a great alternative to watching a DVD during the evening.
The game fumbles its potential with unanticipated incompetence. [Christmas 2007, p.94]
Score distribution:
Positive: 157 out of 182
Mixed: 7 out of 182
Negative: 18 out of 182
Oct 21, 2011To me, the whole choice/consequence idea in gaming is vastly overrated and using it as a marketing point leaves me cold. Any really good game does not need such a thing and shoehorning it into a game doesn't make the game better for it either. Would The Witcher have been a worse game without it? I find it difficult to believe so. On the whole I thought The Witcher was an excellent game with only some minor faults. A decent combat system, interesting alchemy, reasonable story and some memorable characters, it held my attention almost all the way through. The locations were nicely rendered and diverse, the enemies challenging and some of the characters very compelling. The magical abilities were also worthwhile having if you wanted a break from all the swordplay. The drawbacks were some nonsensical conversations (not deliberate), risible voice acting and the extremely gratuitous sex aspect which probably only served to boost sales amongst males of a certain age. It added nothing to the game whatsoever. In addition to this chapter two seemed to drag on for a long time. Overall a good game, quite unique and well worth anyone's time and money.… Expand
Jul 22, 2012You can have this game on steam for a few buck. It sure is worth a try. The worst point is the combat system. Works fine but mechanic is as simple as **** Just click when the cursor turn gold. Luckily there's alchemy, two different swords (one for human, one for beasts) and three combat style that will make the experience a little better. Main quest rocks and some side quests are worth playing. During the game you will have to make choices which will affect the plot. Choices are not a simple good vs bad. Take your choice and pay the consequences!
For those who have no sexual life there's the chance you will have a shot with some female NPCs during the game. At least something to speak about with your friends!… Expand
May 22, 2011This game is awful. Mostly because of the controls. Instead of a control scheme that makes sense the devs have something which is completely counter intuitive where something as simple as spacebar which is used as the jump key for every single game ever created is twisted into a pause game key. The game doesn't tell you anything about how to actually play. The game animations are some of the worst I've ever seen. I have played porn games with better animation than this. Go look up Bonecraft on youtube, those are terrible animations but they're a lot better than the animations in this game! Don't be fooled by all the fanboys of the Witcher fantasy series who give this game a 10 out of fanboy loyalty. This game is unplayably bad.… Expand
- 2:08
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Code of Student Conduct
student dress code
IX. Student Dress Code
A. All students are expected to give proper attention to personal cleanliness and to dress appropriately for school and school
functions. Students and their parents have the primary responsibility for acceptable student dress and appearance.
B. Teachers and all other district personnel should exemplify and reinforce acceptable student dress and help students develop
an understanding of appropriate appearance in the school setting.
C. A student's dress, grooming and appearance, including hair, jewelry, make-up and nails, shall:
1. Be safe and appropriate and not disrupt or interfere with the educational process.
2. Not include extremely brief, revealing or see-through garments or garments that expose undergarments and/or midriffs,
including spaghetti string straps, halter-tops, etc.
3. Not include pajama pants, or other sleep attire.
4. Include footwear at all times. Footwear that is a safety hazard will not be allowed.
5. Not include the wearing of hats/headgear inside the school during the school day except for a medical or religious purpose,
or for approved activities.
6. Not include items that are vulgar, obscene or libelous or that denigrate others on account of race, color, gender, religion,
ethnic origin, sexual orientation or disability in an expressed or implied manner.
7. Not promote or endorse the use of alcohol, tobacco or illegal drugs or encourage other illegal or violent activities.
8. Not denote or represent gang affiliation such as bandanas, beads, jewelry or other indicators and/or symbols intended
expressly so.
D. Students who violate the student dress code shall be required to modify their appearance by covering or removing the
offending item and, if necessary or practical, replacing it with an acceptable item.
E. Any student who refuses to do so shall be subject to discipline, up to and including in-school suspension for the day.
F. Any student who repeatedly fails to comply with the dress code shall be subject to further discipline, up to and including
G. Each building principal or designee shall be responsible for informing all teachers, students and their parents of the student
dress code at the beginning of the school year and any revisions to the dress code made during the school year.


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Only part of the story
The 40th anniversary of Roe vs. Wade, which legalized abortion for any reason during a full-term pregnancy has claimed the lives of more than 55 million unborn children during those 40 years. It's anybody's guess if these tiny, innocent little children ended up in sewer systems or landfills.
I noticed that abortion was conveniently missing from services mentioned by Ms. Humphrey (Jan. 23 forum) offered at Planned Parenthood. According to their own reports, she failed to mention they performed 333,964 abortions in 2011. What Planned Parenthood says they offer as "services" is only part of the story.
"Women have a choice," we are told. "No woman should have to have a child." That is true. But once a woman becomes pregnant, she already has a child. A boy or girl. Abortion takes the lives of about 1.2 million of these children annually, leaving their mothers susceptible to emotional and physical risks — all under the banners of "choice" and "reproductive health care."
It kills one person, and maims the other — the mother's conscience, I have read. Each child is unique and a special blessing of love from God. They are not throwaways. Forty years of Roe is way too many.
Joe Lamie Sr.
Traverse City
Improve buffer areas
My first view from the Sleeping Bear Dunes of Lake Michigan and the miles of picturesque beaches was breathtaking and something I will never forget. This incredible vista is something I want my children's children to experience. This area must be safeguarded against the worst extreme weather events in the future.
I am disappointed that, in the wake of super storm Sandy's devastation, the U.S. House of Representatives voted to block the use of relief funds for potential land acquisition, a critical component to coastal recovery and restoration. Sandy's victims deserve to have all of the tools necessary for recovery at their disposal, but the House of Representatives prevented the federal government from using relief funds to acquire land that could help maintain and improve essential buffer areas.
Unfortunately, Dave Camp voted to remove this critical component to recovery. We now look to our Senators, Debbie Stabenow and Carl Levin, to support the role that land acquisition plays in disaster recovery and restoration — and to vote against similar legislation moving forward.


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Mobile Wallet Solution Provider xpWallet Unveils Its mWallet Bank Integration System Offering
xpWallet , an emerging leader of mobile wallet solution provider, today announced the availability of xpWallet mWallet Bank Integration System offering for a comprehensive mobile wallet and payment infrastructure that will enable telcos, banks and merchants to offer their customers secure and convenient alternative to manage their funds via mobile devices by integrating their bank account with mWallet and vice versa without having to visit their bank branch.
With xpWallet mWallet Bank Integration System, banks, telcos and merchants can provide their customers mobile payment capabilities and leverage this growing trend. This latest product introduction further expands offerings by xpWallet in the evolving mobile payment space and helps to increase adoption by both consumers and merchants.
xpWallet next generation mWallet also enables financial institutions to issue their own branded mobile wallet or integrate the mobile wallet into their existing mobile platforms through as many as banks they want.
xpWallet Mobile Wallet makes it safer and more convenient for consumers to transfer their funds from bank account to mWallet and vice versa. While consumers just need to get registered for the service with their bank account and link their mWallet, they get instant notification of every account activity and access to all transaction reports.
"xpWallet is uniquely positioned to unite all the key elements in mobile payments, creating new revenue opportunities for telcos, banks and merchants " said Rohtas Chhabra, VP (Product & Technology) at xpWallet. "With its mWallet Bank Integration System, xpWallet next generation mWallet provides the core mobile wallet platform needed to make mobile payments become a standard payment method across the world and multiple market segments."
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Set as Homepage
Wed, Jul 30, 2014
3 Av, 5774
Breaking News
Operation Protective Edge
Diplomacy & Politics
Israel News
Middle East
Health & Science
Jewish World
Food & Wine
Cooking with JPost
Business News
Business Features
Real Estate
The Jerusalem Report
In Jerusalem
Expert Opinion
Green Israel
Politique et Social
Affaires Palestiniennes
Art et Culture
Breaking News
Full Livni interview: Editor's Notes
By DAVID HOROVITZ
"I didn't go into politics out of concern for the Palestinians but out of concern for Israel," Kadima leader Tzipi Livni says in this extensive interview.
Opposition leader Tzipi Livni
Photo: Ariel Jerozolimski
Once face-to-face across her desk high in a Tel Aviv skyscraper, however, and even though she claims credibly to be exhausted, Livni, 52, is energized and forthcoming. The Kadima leader may be commendably discreet on some of the specific positions she adopted during her aborted nine months of negotiations under prime minister Ehud Olmert with the Palestinians, but she readily sets out the principles that guided those talks. She fiercely defends her contention that Israel has a viable partner in Mahmoud Abbas's Palestinian Authority. And she returns time and again to stress her sense of Israeli Jewish imperative in reviving those negotiations and trying to bring them to a successful conclusion.
"I know this is an ordeal for you," I say to her about an hour into the interview, which at this point has focused entirely on the Palestinian process. "No," she says. "These are actually the issues I like to talk about."
Her candor extends to the detailing of her repeated conversations with Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu about the possibilities of a Likud-Kadima coalition. She not only sets out the arguments she put to him in favor of an equal partnership, complete with prime ministerial rotation, immediately after the elections in February 2009 – arguments he firmly rejected – but also talks through several subsequent meetings, including in recent months, on the subject. These were meetings she initiated, in which she again urged Netanyahu to ditch one or more of his "natural" partners, and bring in Kadima, this time without rotation, to push the diplomatic process.
Those overtures repeatedly rebuffed, Livni has now evidently concluded that, whatever his rhetoric, the prime minister is disinclined to advance any process of substance with the Palestinians – an assessment that will doubtless make for unhappy reading in Washington and many places beyond.
"An agreement will always constitute a position that is not the classical right-wing position," she says. "I see his lack of willingness to advance, and I understand where he stands."
The key question, she says, is whether the prime minister is prepared to pay the realistic price of an accord that protects our fundamental interests.
Well, I ask, is he? "I'm head of the opposition," she shoots back. "That's your answer."
Our interview does range beyond the Palestinian issue. Livni speaks at some length about her conception of Israel's Jewish character, though she says she's still in the process of thinking through some of her positions. The synagogue she doesn't go to very often is an Orthodox one, but the recent conversion controversies have brought her into deeper contact with the non-Orthodox streams of Judaism and, as she puts it, her eyes are being opened.
"The more the haredim use their monopoly and impose their worldview on the national, liberal movement," she says at one point – not as a threat, but as an assessment – "the more this will lead to a revolution."
From your experience leading the substantive, direct negotiations with the Palestinians in the last government, are they prepared to make a viable, permanent peace agreement with Israel? Despite things like Fatah's rejectionist stance on Israel, the Palestinian leadership's endorsement of a "study" that denies Jewish ties to the Western Wall, and that leadership's efforts to secure international support for the unilateral establishment of statehood?
I believe that it is possible to reach an agreement between Israel and the Palestinian national movement that puts an end to the conflict. I have no illusions about a "new Middle East." I don't believe that, the moment an agreement is signed, we'll live in a fairy tale world of prosperity and happiness This is a harsh neighborhood. This is a highly complex conflict. There are religious factors involved here as well as the nationalist factors.
The capacity to reach an accord is dependent on the behavior of both sides. It would have been very easy for me to declare after each and every meeting with the Palestinians that "there is no partner." Perhaps they could have said the same about me. I was tough, too, in the negotiations. But we managed in nine months to understand the mutual sensitivities, see what needed to be overcome, and to reach a mutual conclusion that an accord was possible. It wasn't around the corner. Not a matter of 20 seconds. It would be very fragile. It might be accompanied by terrorism. We did not exhaust that process.
There are all the reasons in the world to give up, to despair – when you see their textbooks, when you hear some of the things they say, when you read some of the articles. And by the way, they could say the same about us.
I simply think that given the choice of options – and the Middle East generally creates bad options for us – giving up now on the effort to reach an accord would be bad for the Jewish state, physically and in every other way. Whoever doesn't fully internalize the threat that is being posed to the existence of the State of Israel as the national home of the Jewish people in the absence of an accord, will find all the reasons [not to reach one]. And whoever believes that the option of two national states represents the Israeli interest, will find the ways to overcome the problems.
This "threat to our existence": Are you talking demographics, international legitimacy...?
It's everything. First of all, on the ideological level, we have to choose between two different visions. One vision speaks of Jewish sovereignty, or Jewish existence, on the entire Land of Israel, or let's say between the river and the sea: the physical realization of the national historic right – a right in which I believe – on all those areas. For those who hold to this vision, every day that passes is a new victory. Another house. Another day that we're here. New facts on the ground.
And in their vision, set against the delegitimization of Israel is the conviction that they have justice on their side, and that things will work out. This is generally a group of believers [in God] – who believe that things work out not only as a consequence of decisions we make. I respect this vision, but I disagree with it.
I myself come from a place where all of us shared this vision. This was the thinking after 1967 – the sense that we have returned to the places of our ancestors. The problem is that those who still share this vision never took a decision. The Right. They never passed, or tried to pass, a decision that annexed those territories to Israel. So we have remained in a sort of twilight zone since 1967, in a kind of limbo in which no decision has been taken. It's time to make up our minds.
My vision, shared by most of the Israeli public, speaks of the existence of Israel as a Jewish, democratic, secure state, a state living in peace, in the Land of Israel. If I want all of the Land of Israel, I have to give up on either the Jewish or the democratic aspect. I don't want to give up on either, and by the way, I think that Jewish values are democratic values. The only way to maintain those values is to relinquish part of the Land of Israel...
Presumably Olmert internalized these arguments, and yet, together with you, he couldn't reach an agreement with the Palestinians.
Well it wasn't together with me. I was authorized by Olmert to conduct negotiations with the Palestinians. The principles on which I ran those talks for nine months, in accordance with the Annapolis framework, were to negotiate with the Palestinian national movement [represented by Ahmed Qurei/Abu Ala] to reach an agreement on all the core issues – a detailed agreement, an agreement that could be implemented, with a stated commitment that this marked the end of the conflict via two national states, in which each state constitutes a solution for its people.
In November 2008, we gathered – Abu Mazen [Abbas], myself, representatives of the Quartet, the Arab League – in Sharm e- Sheikh. And we agreed that we hadn't exhausted the process and that we wanted to continue. We hadn't talked about Jerusalem and we hadn't yet reached final decisions on all the issues. The negotiations weren't finished. They hadn't reached a dead end. We hadn't yet put everything on the table.
Olmert, outside of that framework, decided at some stage toward the end of his time in office to place a certain proposal on the table. To the best of my knowledge, Abu Mazen did not even respond to it – for various reasons connected to the situation at the time: Operation Cast Lead, the end of the prime minister's term, and other factors.
You know, Ehud Barak returned from Camp David [in 2000] and declared happily that we had "removed the mask" [from Yasser Arafat and exposed him as not genuinely seeking peace]. Removing the mask was not the aim here. It may be that we will reach a point at which we will not be able to reach an accord.
But Abu Mazen's response, or lack of one, is not a barometer?
Absolutely not. I have no doubt. And I think Olmert feels the same.
Olmert has said that Israel should again present those same terms to Abbas – some of which, by the way, you wouldn't offer...
I disagreed with him on some of the terms. I also think this idea, which also played out at Camp David, of saying "we're issuing a proposal, take it or leave it," is less good than proceeding through negotiations.
Nonetheless, Olmert's was a very, very generous proposal. And it can be argued that had Abbas truly wanted an accord, he would have jumped on those terms, and signed as quickly as possible.
I hear that the Palestinians [recently] gave the Americans, and tried to give to Netanyahu, their own proposal for an accord. I assume this was some kind of opening position. I'd really like all the skeptics to look at this proposal, and see how far it is from a genuine accord. It may be that this will produce the understanding that a deal is possible, after all. Now, even when it seems the gaps are narrow, sometimes it can be like a pair of [polar opposite] magnets, where at the end they can't be bridged; where the gaps are deal breakers.
But I think it is inaccurate to invoke Olmert [and his proposal], and say there is no partner because the Palestinians didn't accept it.
The Palestinians "tried to give' the current government a proposal, maps? Can you elaborate. If they tried to give Netanyahu something, why weren't they able to?
Let me put it this way: They certainly gave the Americans a proposal of this kind, a map...
But you don't know the details?
I do know. But I'm being discreet.
What specifics can you tell us about your positions in the negotiations?
It's tactically wrong for Israel to go into the details, but I'll tell you the principles. First, we're talking about two national states. That means each state constitutes the solution for its people. The establishment of the state of Palestine ends the conflict. And just as the State of Israel gave refuge to those Jews who came after the Holocaust from Europe and from Arab states, just as the State of Israel is today a national home with a minister of absorption and the Law of Return, so with the state of Palestine: Its establishment should constitute the complete, full national answer for the Palestinians wherever they are. Therefore there will not be a return of refugees to Israel.
So the number is zero.
Of course. And the Palestinians know my position on this and so does the entire Arab world.
This national solution is also the solution for the Arabs of Israel, who are citizens with equal rights because of our values as a Jewish state and as a democratic state. Their national demands from Israel will cease. They are individuals with equal rights in a state that is the national home of the Jewish people.
The next principle relates to security. This is not about ideology, but about the obligation of every government to provide security. This too is an American and international interest. After all, another terrorist state, another failed state, another fundamentalist Islamic state – there are enough of those already.
The Palestinians have already said they agree to a demilitarized state. It is clear to them that Israeli security represents even their interests. The Palestinian national movement is not an Islamic religious movement.
And therefore the Hamas takeover of Gaza hurts them, just as a future Hamas takeover [in the West Bank] obviously would not represent their interests.
I don't want to go into other security parameters. Israel has set out for itself its requirements.
Finally, demarcating the border, I'm not going to sketch it out. But I want to say something about the settlements. After 1967 I regarded the settlement enterprise as a part of the Israeli people's return to its homeland. It seemed only natural to me, from a historic and national perspective. Others saw it as colonialism, contrary to international law. It really doesn't matter anymore.
On the assumption that we are proceeding along the principle of two states, every prime minister will have to demarcate the border in such a way as to deal with the reality on the ground. After 40 years, hundreds of thousands of Israelis live today in areas that are a part of the negotiation process. The good news is most of them live in what we call the blocs. The settlement enterprise does indeed determine where the borderline runs. It determines this, because the aim is to leave as many Israelis as possible in their homes, which today are inside the settlement blocs. Otherwise, it will be impossible. The world understands this.
As for Jerusalem, it has been on the negotiating table since the Oslo accords. I didn't discuss Jerusalem [in the negotiations with Abu Ala]. So I won't go any further. But it's obviously not just Jerusalem that will have to be negotiated. Every representative of every government that represents the Israeli national home will have to manage and to preserve those places that from a historic, national and religious perspective are so critical to us. I may have been born in Tel Aviv, but my umbilical cord emerges from the Temple Mount.
And on the basis of those principles, you say that it is possible to reach an accord?
I came from the Right and I'm still on the Right in the national context. I didn't go into politics out of concern for the Palestinians but out of concern for Israel.
What most troubles me about the prime minister's actions, about this coalition, is that Netanyahu, via megaphone diplomacy, in order to preserve his base, is harming the national interests...
Netanyahu starts with the "no." He always says what the deal breakers are, not the deal makers.
The prime minister, who sounds tough on the national issues and the security issues, is hurting us on those issues. After two years of this government, there are more question marks than there were before about the Jewish state, more question marks about the legitimacy of Israel, about the legitimacy of Israel's security requirements. Things that were taken for granted in the past are no longer taken for granted because of all the rhetoric that sounds so tough domestically. Netanyahu won't protect Israel's interests in the negotiating room any better than me, if he ever gets there. He's just eroding our positions.
Are you worried by the Abbas trend toward unilateralism?
Very. I conducted direct negotiations, the world didn't intervene, we negotiated in a closed room and everyone supported this. That is the optimal situation. That kind of negotiation best serves Israel's interests. You're in control. You initiate. You act tactically correctly in the room.
Now we're in the worst possible place. There are no talks, and as time passes, other proposals are being presented. The absence of negotiations, the delays in the process, are likely to place Israel in a worse position in terms of the capacity to end the conflict, in terms of Israel's legitimacy, and so on.
I hope, by the way, that what is unfolding will prompt the Israeli Right to understand that there is no comfortable status quo. I'm sorry to have to say that. And I do see that happening.
Where do you see that?
This government has served for almost two years. A government comprising a prime minister who had refused to say "two national states." A foreign minister [Avigdor Lieberman] who had left the Olmert government, by his account, because of Annapolis. And an interior minister [Eli Yishai] from Shas, the party that had refused to be in a government with me [after Olmert resigned and I tried to form a coalition] if we talked about Jerusalem. Talked about – not divided. And [Yishai] knew that I hadn't talked about it.
The three of them, today, are calling on the Palestinians to enter the negotiating room, when it's clear that the dialogue today is on terms much worse for Israel. When it's clear that the talks will cover all the core issues, including Jerusalem.
It's true that Lieberman takes care to add that there's no chance for an accord anyway because the Palestinians are to blame, because we offered them everything. It amazes me that all of these people utilize the things that were offered in order to say there is no partner on the other side, without asking themselves whether they themselves are partners to those offers.
Netanyahu, who tried to market economic peace and security peace without diplomatic peace, nowadays talks of diplomatic peace. The gulf between those words and an agreement is vast. That's why I'm not in this government. But as someone who was accused by that group, told that it was unthinkable to seek this, and wrong, and not representative of the Israeli interest... I'm not saying "I told you so." I'm saying that this is a very important process. Any agreement will be very problematic. It will rend the people. It will be terrible. But at least there should be the recognition that there is no better option for Israel.
If we don't get back to direct talks, where will the unilateral effort lead? Will the Americans stand against the world and veto...?
It's absurd, what's happening in the world today. What are [those countries that are recognizing "Palestine"] saying? They're saying, "We're not against Israel." They're saying, "The Israeli government also supports two states, also speaks of a Palestinian state. So we're going a little faster."
The absence of negotiations creates unilateral and international steps that this government evidently can't handle. So long as there were direct talks, the world didn't try to intervene.
I remember making a visit to Paris [as foreign minister], when France held the EU presidency, and they were about to issue a decision endorsing a Palestinian state in the 1967 borders. Jerusalem as the capital. Everything. I had a very frank discussion with the French foreign minister. I said to him, "Look, we're negotiating. The Palestinians say it's serious. We want to reach a successful conclusion. We're not trying to waste time. This announcement now won't help." It came off the agenda.
Now what's happening? On the one hand, this government has recognized that there will be a Palestinian state. On the other hand, it is doing nothing to advance this. The prime minister is not prepared to take even a quarter of a political risk – even though he has a majority for every decision. Nothing would have happened to his coalition if he had approved a second settlement freeze.
No party would have bolted his government. Not Lieberman and not Shas. And he knew that. He tried to bargain, to get a better deal [from the US].
But would a second settlement freeze have produced anything substantive?
This is the real question: Does the current prime minister want to reach an accord? Plainly he wants to negotiate. But does he want to reach an accord? That's the real test. There is a giant question mark over Israel.
Obviously he wants an accord. The question is what price he is prepared to pay.
Yes. Is he prepared to pay the realistic price of an accord that protects our fundamental interests?
And what's your answer to that question?
I'm head of the opposition today. That's your answer.
Head of the opposition, despite being asked to join the coalition?
I'll give you the facts. From the time this government was established, on almost a daily basis, I asked myself, is there no substantive process because the prime minister doesn't want to pay the price involved in an agreement or because he can't move ahead for political reasons?
Immediately after the elections, I suggested a different coalition to him in a meeting we had. He said he already had commitments to what he called his natural partners, the haredim and Lieberman. His offer to me was to join that coalition. He said the right wing had won.
Everybody wants to live in peace. Netanyahu wants to live in peace. That's clear. But I understood that there was a gulf between my and his internalization of the imperative for an agreement. He didn't have the drive for it.
I said: You can interpret the election results [as a victory for the Right] or you can say that two parties won – Kadima and the Likud, putting aside the fact that we got one more seat. I suggested: Let's agree between us that we're going for an agreement [with the Palestinians] on the basis of principles we can agree on, two states. And let's create partnerships. Kadima with, say, Labor, and the Likud with one partner that it would choose. A different translation of the election results. He didn't want this.
With rotation of the prime ministership?
Absolutely. I thought that the way to create the partnership was by [governing] together, including with rotation. But we didn't reach agreements, in any case, on content.
[Later] I saw him start to say those words "two states." But without real intent, without the drive, without the [sense of imperative] that we have to reach an agreement and to pay those prices, because otherwise the option for the Jewish state will be worse. Rather, he saw and analyzed the processes, the American pressure for negotiations, the need to start speaking in those terms.
Still, I asked myself, is there some kind of opportunity whereby he does want to pay the price? So – and this was before the flotilla [in May] – I initiated another discussion with him on the issue.
I said to him, in order to stop the international trend against Israel, you have to decide for yourself first if you're prepared to pay the price of an accord. If not, there's no point in continuing this discussion. If yes, there has to be an accompanying political drama, whereby you exchange your coalition for a coalition in which there is a majority for an agreement. You'll have to bid farewell to one of your partners, because I can't [enter your coalition and] face an automatic majority of 61 against. I'll be taking all the hope for peace, all the international credibility I have, and jumping into the pool with two weights around my ankles – Shas on one ankle and Lieberman on the other and no chance of making progress.
I initiated [these conversations] on more than one occasion – every time I thought there was a chance, maybe, but that he felt himself constrained politically. He didn't want it.
And since then, I've come to understand that out of his lack of willingness to make a change politically, and the relentless preoccupation with the next elections – concern for his base, concern over whether Lieberman will outflank him from the right... If he fears that Lieberman will outflank him from the right before the next elections, he won't advance any process [of substance with the Palestinians]. An agreement [with the Palestinians] will always constitute a position that is not the classical right-wing position. I see his lack of willingness to advance, and I understand where he stands.
Your later proposals also included a demand for rotation?
But to be given authority to run the negotiations independently?
Agreements on content, on managing the negotiations and on a dependable majority in the government in order to move this forward. After the elections I did include rotation, subsequently no. I thought, if there is an opportunity and the world is pressing... But it's not there.
I said something else to him. The Likud and Kadima are two national, liberal parties, or supposed to be. Yet the Likud gives the haredim a monopoly on the Jewishness of the state. In my view, the issue of a Jewish state has a national connotation, not a haredi connotation. I thought that together we could have written the first chapter in the constitution of Israel. We could have introduced national content, core curricula for all, an equalizing of the [military and social] burden, all of those things.
All the mistakes were Netanyahu's, or did the Americans contribute with an exaggerated focus on settlements and the freeze as a precondition?
I don't have an ideological attachment to the freeze. It's no secret that when we were negotiating, we built a little. It was in the settlement blocs and we didn't make a provocative issue of it. If Netanyahu hadn't been able to freeze completely, I wouldn't have attacked him.
Before Netanyahu had decided whether or not to extend the freeze, I didn't publicly demand that he extend it, until I realized that he was going to say no to the United States. No to a request for another two months, which seemed to me to be a mistaken decision from every point of view. Two months or three months at the request of the president of the United States, honestly! I thought it was a mistake of the first order for Netanyahu not to agree, and never mind whether or not it was important to seek that freeze or not.
Additional building in the settlements, certainly beyond the security barrier, does not serve the vision of a Jewish, democratic, secure Israel in the Land of Israel. I've asked Netanyahu from the Knesset podium, how can you send a young couple to start to build their lives in a settlement when you know deep inside, assuming you are honest when you say "two states," that you are apparently going to have to evict them in a year, two years, five?
When I meet with Council of Jewish Settlements members, as I do sometimes, some of them say, "We need interim arrangements, some kind of modus vivendi." I ask them, "When you talk about those kinds of agreements, are you saying, 'Ok, we won't build anymore, we're trying to stabilize the existing situation?' Or are you intending to carry on building in order to realize your vision [of a Jewish presence throughout Judea and Samaria], which conflicts with our vision?'" And they say, "The latter."
Knowing exactly where I want to get to in the end, the decisions are so clear. But we're living in an illusory world. People are speaking with a mishmash of words, without taking decisions on the real matters. For our own sakes, we have to make up our minds. Then we'll interact with the Americans and the Palestinians and the rest of the world.
If Netanyahu had truly embraced this vision, he'd have separated the wheat from the chaff. The way he's operating, a man who can't distinguish between the settlement blocs and isolated settlements, he gives the settlement blocs the exact same status as other settlements instead of strengthening them.
I want to ask you some questions about the Jewish nature of our Jewish state. Do you, for instance, believe that Reform rabbis should be allowed to perform authorized wedding ceremonies here? Do you support gay marriage? Do you consider a child of a Jewish father and non-Jewish mother to be Jewish?
I'll answer you more on the level of principles than specifics. I see myself as a Jewish Israeli – as a Jew who lives in Israel, not as an Israeli who is Jewish. In my eyes, the issue of Jewishness is a deep national feeling. I certainly don't keep the 613 commandments. I keep some. I don't often go to synagogue, but when I do I go to an Orthodox synagogue and I sit in the women's section.
I see the Jewish issue as something I choose out of a sense of connection to the history, the culture, the heritage, the tradition, something very emotional that links me to the Jewish melody. Everyone can make their choice. There was a period when you could not light a fire but you could watch television; not cook but smoke; drive, but not near the synagogue. Those were very Israeli kinds of choices and very Jewish in the national sense. I certainly didn't want a separation between religion and state because then we become Jews who live in the State of Israel just like Jews who live in any other country.
But as minister of immigrant absorption, I understood that 300,000 people [who were not halachically Jewish] had come here under the Law of Return, which enables entrance to Israel for anyone from a Jewish family, and which to me emblemizes the fact of Israel as a Jewish state. Yet in practice, we don't connect them to that Jewish aspect. That brought me up against all the issues of conversion procedures.
I came from a place where it was entirely natural that the Orthodox rabbinate be fully responsible for conversions, but suddenly I found, when I wanted to enable those processes, that people were saying to me, "What do you care if they're Jewish? They'll learn Hebrew, they'll serve in the army. They're combat soldiers, wonderful soldiers."
I said being Jewish is deeper than serving in the army. And those are two elements – serving in the army and speaking Hebrew – that we do not have in common with the Jews in the Diaspora. If being Jewish is comprised of those two components, it's very Israeli, and a very particular kind of Israeli-ness, at that. It certainly doesn't connect them with the haredim.
I started looking still deeper into this and I'm no expert on Halacha, but there are places where the rabbinical establishment can be lenient and isn't. For example, children under 13, who in any case aren't obligated to fulfill all the commandments, why must they go to Orthodox schools? That makes life harder for the parents. And why do those who want to go through conversion have to prove that they'll fulfill the commandments after their conversion? Arik Sharon said once that he wouldn't be approved for conversion, and nor would I.
So since then I've been looking for areas where one can be lenient, if possible without confrontations but certainly with respect to the other streams of Judaism.
Within the contours of Halacha?
When they proposed the conversion law with the idea of concretizing the rabbinic, halachic monopoly in law, [Diaspora] representatives of all the streams of Judaism came to Israel. They opened my eyes to a certain extent to the fact that we're outlawing a great proportion of the Jewish people. The rabbinate is so strict. The halachic Orthodox establishment has regarded joining the Jewish people as something to prevent.
I come from a Jabotinsky world. He felt that the stringent approach to Judaism had preserved the Jewish people in exile. But the idea was that when you come to the Land of Israel, and create Jewish sovereignty here, we can lighten up a little and create a renewed national Judaism in the birthplace of the Jewish people, without the need for this hard skin that safeguarded the people in exile.
I'm not talking about destroying something, I'm talking about finding common ground. I'm grappling with some of these issues now. I work with the [modern Orthodox, Zionist] Tzohar rabbis and others.
You asked me about the son of a Jewish father. Look, I sit with Haim Amsalem [the maverick Shas Knesset member and rabbi, who encourages a lenient halachic approach to conversions in Israel]. I believe there is the possibility to ease up more.
I'm in the process of thinking, beyond respecting the various streams and recognizing their conversions. I'm also in touch with Conservatives and Reform in Israel. I don't yet have a practical platform for how this should be reflected in the constitution on the matter of marriages. Thus far we [in Kadima] have supported the civil marriage bill. It'll come up for a vote again. Thus far we have found solutions within the halachic framework. But the more the haredim use their monopoly and impose their worldview on the national, liberal movement, the more this will lead to a revolution.
I should add that Kadima invites representatives of all streams of Judaism to its conferences and activities.
It seemed unfair of you to demand the prime minister's resignation after the Carmel fire. You didn't resign after the Second Lebanon War.
I didn't have to. First of all, in my opinion, Netanyahu shouldn't be prime minister for a thousand and one reasons. The Carmel fire is just one of them. He turned a disaster into some kind of big show. He took one correct decision, to call for international assistance, but now what? Now what? While we sit here talking, nothing has been sorted out. The fire services haven't been sorted out.
The Lebanon War was a result partly of failures that had been there before, landing upon a serving prime minister, and I called on him to resign too.
You don't feel responsible for the failure of [Security Council] Resolution 1701, after which Hizbullah rearmed?
Absolutely not. Let's talk about Resolution 1701. 1701 was the most appropriate and best option to end that war. I'm pretty sick of the superficiality with which this is treated, including by Netanyahu. There are three options when you face a threat from a certain area. One is to hold on to it, and we held onto south Lebanon for many years and that did not bring the desired result. The second is to get out of there under cover of darkness, as Ehud Barak did [in 2000, dismantling the security zone], which didn't bring the desired result. And the third is to get out with some kind of agreement – with commitments and some kind of international recognition.
Given the choice of remaining in Lebanon in a situation where the missiles were not only coming from south Lebanon, but from further north, was Israel supposed to conquer all of Lebanon? This was not war between states where there would be a defining result. Israel was fighting Hizbullah in a Lebanon that had a legitimate government. In the UN we could work on the basis of Israel and the state of Lebanon, and create a lack of legitimacy for Hizbullah.
By contrast, when we were fighting Hamas [in Gaza two years ago], I didn't want to reach an agreement with Hamas, because Hamas is not legitimate and I think that any dialogue with them, except regarding Gilad Schalit, is a terrible mistake. Ehud Barak wanted to reach an agreement with them in Operation Cast Lead. Sometimes people fight the previous war. They say in Lebanon we wanted to reach an agreement. Absolutely, because there was a legitimate government.
Under 1701, the Lebanese Army deployed in the south. International forces arrived. There's no 100 percent. Yes, there has been rearming by Hizbullah. There would have been rearming under any other option as well. But we for the first time created a situation in which that rearmament was not legitimate, with the natural consequent options if we need to use them.
According to the surveys, Kadima leads the Likud, but does not seem to have the chance of building a coalition. How are you going to improve that?
I don't deal too much with surveys because they change. But in all the surveys, Kadima is strong today. Partly that is because this is a lousy government, and partly because we have maintained Kadima as an alternative to this government – by staying in opposition, and being a responsible opposition. Just as I think it was foolish to manage Operation Cast Lead according to the conclusions of the Second Lebanon War, so I advise people not to interpret the results of the next election according to the results of the last election. We don't know yet who all the players will be. They can completely change the political blocs.
Certainly if I am given the mandate to form a government, I would invite the Likud to be my partner, but on a path that I would set out – both as regards an accord with the Palestinians and as regards national content. Today's Likud understands the political price it is paying for the historic partnership with the haredim.
I don't know what Lieberman's considerations will be. I don't know what the other players' considerations will be. In opposition, you have to find the balance, the appropriate ways to advance your agenda. I intend to submit bills on issues of conversion, legislation on sharing the burden, on national service and other issues. I don't want to be a constant voice of criticism. But when it's needed, the criticism is harsh. They're not giving me the opportunity, but if this government follows correct processes, I'll voice my support.
I think the public is looking at us less as a ferocious opposition and more as a potential alternative government. It's asking how I would be as prime minister. Kadima's lead over the Likud is substantial and in the last month or two, people are switching from the Likud to us. We're not strengthening just because Labor is collapsing. There's a soft right which is not happy with the current situation.
Two final questions. Going back to the talks, you said you were authorized by Olmert to conduct negotiations for an accord that could be implemented.
How could anything be implemented with Hamas in Gaza?
We negotiated with the Palestinian national movement on the assumption that there is no chance for peace with Hamas and that no agreement can be reached with them. We managed to bring the entire international community on board not to give legitimacy to Hamas until they announce that the State of Israel has the right to exist and renounce violence and terrorism. We agreed with the Palestinians that an accord would be implemented only after there were changes on the ground and a legitimate Palestinian government throughout the territory That was the solution.
To my sorrow, while this government speaks out very strongly against terrorism, in practice Hamas is becoming more and more legitimate because one element of the equation we had is missing. We managed to get everyone on board against Hamas because it was clear that Israel was serious in its intentions with respect to the moderate Palestinian players.
And now you see a fracturing of the international consensus against Hamas?
Israel has already been forced to lift the closure on Gaza.
Exports from Gaza are permitted now. This government is taking decisions that strengthen the process [of Hamas legitimacy]. Bibi, who spoke a lot about the state of Hamastan, in practice is becoming a partner in its establishment, to my sorrow. The flotillas are also part of this. It's all beginning to create legitimacy for Hamas.
And finally, your thoughts on the rabbis' letter, outlawing home sales or rentals to Arabs?
There is a struggle not only over the vision of a secure, Jewish, democratic state in the Land of Israel, but also over the nature of a Jewish state. Is the source of authority the law or the Torah? Is the interpreter the judge or the rabbi? The sense of threat maybe, or of fear, in parts of the Israeli society is being turned against the minorities or the foreigners.
The task of leadership today is to prevent this ill wind. In my opinion it does not represent the Jewish values of the State of Israel. This is not the Judaism I know.
And if we're talking about Israel and the Diaspora, it certainly makes it harder for those who want to represent Israel and its values outward.
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