Protesters disrupt Olmert's speech at Kadima rally
By JPOST.COM STAFF
Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's speech at the Kadima New Year's toast Wednesday night was interrupted by shouts of protest from reservists and their families, who called loudly for the prime minister to resign.
Olmert turned the protests to his advantage, saying that "in a democratic society...we know how to accept this," and praising those gathered there both for expressing their conflicting opinions and for supporting the government and the Israeli people.
"The majority of people here think otherwise - good for you," he exhorted.
Despite shouts of "Go home, Olmert" and "Where are the kidnapped soldiers?", the prime minister pushed on with his speech, acknowledging that the country had gone through difficult times and paid a "painful price," and commending Israel for standing united and strong throughout.