Israel's parliament has approved a new coalition government and sworn in Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and his Cabinet.
The parliament or Knesset voted Thursday to approve the 25-member Cabinet assembled by Mr. Olmert's Kadima party.
Mr. Olmert told parliament that Israel needs to rid itself of isolated West Bank Jewish settlements as part of his plan to re-draw Israel's borders by 2010. But he said Israel will keep some large settlement blocs that are home to tens of thousands of Israelis.
The prime minister also said Iran's threats to annihilate Israel must be taken seriously. He said Israel can defend itself against any threat.
In Washington, the White House voiced support for Israel's new coalition government and said President Bush looks forward to working with Mr. Olmert.
Mr. Olmert said he wants to work with the Palestinians to draw Israel's borders but he is also prepared to act unilaterally if talks fail. Palestinians, such as former legislator Sabri Saddam, say Mr. Olmert's plan to draw the borders is a land grab that will spark more violence.
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas is urging Mr. Olmert to resume peace talks. Israeli officials say Mr. Olmert will probably meet with Mr. Abbas. But they say peace talks are unlikely because the Hamas-led Palestinian government refuses to recognize Israel and renounce violence.
For most of his career, Mr. Olmert belonged to the right-wing Likud party. He left the party to join former prime minister Ariel Sharon in the new Kadima party. Mr. Sharon suffered a massive stroke in January and is still in a coma.
The parliament or Knesset voted Thursday to approve the 25-member Cabinet assembled by Mr. Olmert's Kadima party.
Mr. Olmert told parliament that Israel needs to rid itself of isolated West Bank Jewish settlements as part of his plan to re-draw Israel's borders by 2010. But he said Israel will keep some large settlement blocs that are home to tens of thousands of Israelis.
The prime minister also said Iran's threats to annihilate Israel must be taken seriously. He said Israel can defend itself against any threat.
In Washington, the White House voiced support for Israel's new coalition government and said President Bush looks forward to working with Mr. Olmert.
Mr. Olmert said he wants to work with the Palestinians to draw Israel's borders but he is also prepared to act unilaterally if talks fail. Palestinians, such as former legislator Sabri Saddam, say Mr. Olmert's plan to draw the borders is a land grab that will spark more violence.
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas is urging Mr. Olmert to resume peace talks. Israeli officials say Mr. Olmert will probably meet with Mr. Abbas. But they say peace talks are unlikely because the Hamas-led Palestinian government refuses to recognize Israel and renounce violence.
For most of his career, Mr. Olmert belonged to the right-wing Likud party. He left the party to join former prime minister Ariel Sharon in the new Kadima party. Mr. Sharon suffered a massive stroke in January and is still in a coma.