"I do not intend to compromise in any way over the issue of the Jewish state," Olmert said during a meeting yesterday attended by Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni, Defence Minister Ehud Barak, Chief of Staff Gabi Ashkenazi and heads of intelligence services, a daily reported on Monday.

"This will be a condition for our recognition of a Palestinian state," he asserted.

The Prime Minister said that he raised the importance of this issue during his talks with European and American officials, who responded positively to the demand, the report said.

However, during talks in recent weeks between the Israeli and Palestinian negotiating teams, the Palestinian side refused to include the recognition of Israel as a Jewish state in the joint declaration the two sides are preparing for the Annapolis conference later this month.

This recognition is meant to bolster Israel's position that rejects the return of Palestinian refugees to areas inside the Green Line - the border before the 1967 War.

Olmert's stance suggests that Israel does not intend to raise this issue as an obstacle to holding the summit, but will pursue it after the conference, the daily said. - DDNEWS