But Olmert cautioned against expecting quick results, especially with the Islamist Hamas movement running the Palestinian government. Hamas is sworn to destroy Israel.

"I am making a very great effort to have a dialogue ... I want to meet with him, we should start a process," Olmert said in an interview with Israel Radio broadcast on Thursday, referring to the moderate Abbas.

"(But) the distance is long ... we don't have to be hasty. How it will work out, how it will end, that we shall see."

Olmert said he hoped the meeting with Abbas could be held in the coming days, although he gave no precise time frame.