Olmert, declaring victory, appeals to Abbas for peace talks (Haaretz)

[swag]

http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/699377.html

Declaring an election victory, Acting Prime Minister Ehud Olmert appealed to Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas early Wednesday to enter into negotiations over the permanent borders of Israel, but added that Israel would act alone if peace efforts remained stalled.

. . .

A top aide to Mahmoud Abbas said that the Palestinian Authority chairman was ready to renew negotiations with Israel immediately.

"We're ready to go into direct and immediate negotiations to implement the road map if the Israeli government is ready," said Abbas aide Nabil Abu Rdeneh. "We hope to see an Israeli government ready to implement the road map."

. . . more

[bemildred]

1. Good answer. Let's bring back the "road map". nt

[swag]

2. I know it doesn't mean as much as TV ratings, but I'll kick it anyway.

[swag]

3. A kick before dying.

Because, oddly enough, I consider this item rather significant.

[donkeyotay]

5. I agree. This is an important development

I remain somewhat skeptical, but it seems that the left is reasserting itself in Israel, and hopefully that's a good sign of American's next move. If nothing else, it's good to feel hope.

I heard a discussion about poverty in Israel - 1 in 5 - and I wonder how long right wing politics' failed policies will be the mainstream and how much longer it will be acceptable to spend so much on defense and so little on social infrastructure. For us, I'd like to hear some congresscritter announce something heretical like ditching Star Wars to pay for social programs... one of these days, it could happen.

[question everything]

4. Olmert Has Support for Israel Pullback, Lawmakers Say

Olmert Has Support for Israel Pullback, Lawmakers Say

March 29 (Bloomberg) -- Israeli Prime Minister-elect Ehud Olmert can build a coalition that will back his plan to withdraw from most of the West Bank even though his own Kadima Party won fewer votes than expected, lawmakers said.

Olmert, whose party won just 28 of the Knesset's 120 seats in yesterday's election, can muster a two-thirds majority by negotiating with the Labor Party and three or four other potential coalition partners, said Haim Ramon, one of three members of parliament who left the Labor Party to join Kadima. Labor came second with 20 seats.

``We're talking about a dramatic change in our political life,'' Ramon said in an interview with Israel Radio today. ``It's a big victory for Olmert who courageously presented a detailed political program. We have the ability to form a coalition with 80 seats.''

(snip)

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=10000100&sid=aK_qsXGt_qi8&refer=germany#