Israel committed to peace talks with Palestine

Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert says he is committed to peace talks with the Palestinian Authority on the West Bank.

Speaking to foreign correspondents in Jerusalem, Olmert affirmed that the moderate Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas is Israel's partner for peace.

However, Israel will not negotiate with Hamas, the Islamic controllers of Gaza, until it recognises the Jewish state's right to exist and renounces acts of violence. Olmert says Israel is committed to a two state solution with the Palestinians.

Addressing foreign journalists in Jerusalem last night, he says Israel will pursue the peace talks until a solution is reached. As rockets continue to fall on southern Israel -- Olmert says Israel has not and will not negotiate with Hamas. He says Israel sees Hamas as an obstacle but not an insurmountable one.