Olmert warns on Israel’s survival

Ehud Olmert, the Israeli prime minister, has issued a blunt warning that failure to reach a comprehensive peace agreement with the Palestinians based on a two-state solution will lead to a “South African-style struggle” and may spell the end of the Jewish state.

Mr Olmert’s remarks are unusually provocative for an Israeli prime minister. Officials and citizens normally reject comparison between the country’s treatment of Palestinians and the racist policies of the South African apartheid regime.