Some distressing news out of Israel this evening:  Prime Minister Olmert is quoted as saying “Forget Greater Israel” in several news articles.  The Jerusalem Post headline indicated the following – “Olmert offers PA 98.1% of W. Bank” citing a news report from Israel’s Channel 2!  Read that article HERE. 

Israel National News quoted Prime Minister Olmert in an article by Ze’ev Ben-Yechiel “Olmert ‘Forget Greater Israel” as saying …

‘…”I used to believe that everything from the Jordan Riverbank to the Mediterranean Sea was ours. After all, dig anywhere and you’ll find Jewish history. But eventually, after great internal conflict, I’ve realized we have to share this land with the people who dwell here – that is if we don’t want to be a binational state,” said Olmert…’ 

…Olmert continued that it would be better off dealing with the threats that he admits will exist “across the security fence” than “cementing the notion of a binational state in the international community’s mind,” hinting at his support for total withdrawal to west of the fence, as well as his belief that the international community has the power to decide Israel’s future.Olmert referred to Judea and Samaria, the heartland of Biblical Israel, as “a hill here or there.” Read the whole article HERE

Aaron Klein (WorldNetDaily) was interviewed on this evening’s John Batchelor Show’s third hour confirming the above reports, explaining that “Greater Israel” was indeed under discussion for January of 2009 - although details have not yet been decided upon - including parts of East Jerusalem and the Jordan Valley area South of Jerusalem, meaning roads and areas at Qumran and Masada!  Hear the interview (MP3) HERE.  Klein is the second interviewed, beginning at about 8:25 minutes in to the program.

The above reports make one wonder about a recent Haaretz article touting a future planned program that ”Tourists may tread ‘Pilgrim’s Route,’ visit W. Bank Christian sites by next year”, which can be read about HERE.  The article noted that this upcoming “Pilgrim’s Route” is under the direction of a ”Civil Administration” department – which means exactly what (?), that these trips would have to be coordinated with a future new Palestinian administration in the West Bank?  An official announced:

“We’re in the process of opening the Good Samaritan site to the general public, and the baptismal site is undergoing an accelerated process of development,” said a senior official in the Civil Administration, which is responsible for all West Bank tourism sites under Israeli control. “We hope that in 2009, we will open first the Good Samaritan [site], and after that Qasr al-Yehud.”

Qasr al-Yehud, meaning “the Jews’ Palace,” is the baptismal site’s Arabic name. It derives from the palatial building of one of the many monasteries located at the site. … The Good Samaritan site is just off the highway leading from Jerusalem to the Dead Sea….’ Read the rest of the article HERE.

If this plan is accomplished and the land is indeed ceeded to the Palestinians, then points made in a speech given by Elyakim HaEtzni – “Saving the Whole State of Israel” are so true.  May the God of Israel over-rule this ‘possible’ outcome.

UPDATE:  Read Zionist Organization of America’s latest press release on 9/16:  ”Former Knesset Foreign Affairs & Defense Committee Head Steinitz: “A Palestinian State In Judea & Samaria Would Bring About Israel’s Demise” and read Aaron Klein’s insight-filled WorldNetDaily Article of September 17th:  “Hamas chief: West Bank is ours – As Israel negotiates retreat, terror group looks to fill vacuum” HERE.

To learn more about the Israeli West Bank ‘Civil Administration’ see Diakonia “Easy Guide to International Humanitarian Law” which describes functions of the Israeli “Civil Administration” HERE.  Wikipedia has an entry HERE, and a link to “District Coordination Liaison Offices (Matpash)” HERE; also, a map of the West Bank Civil Administration offices is available for viewing at website. (UPDATED)