JERUSALEM (AP) -
Prime Minister Ehud Olmert’s decision to resign amid corruption allegations and his own plummeting popularity has intensified doubts about Israel’s prospects for reaching peace deals with the Palestinians and Syria.
Olmert said Wednesday he would not run in his party’s primary election Sept. 17 and would step down afterward to allow his successor to form a government.
But because of Israel’s political system, he could serve until well into 2009. Possibly hinting at his expectation of being in power for some time, he pledged to work for peace “as long as I am in my position,” and said talks with Palestinians and Syria are “closer than ever” to achieving understandings.
But the internal turmoil could make it difficult for Olmert to close deals with either of them, agreements that long have eluded Israeli leaders.
Israeli political analyst Yossi Alpher said Olmert’s resignation would at least slow the process.
“The Arabs are asking themselves how useful an agreement with Olmert would be, because he is a self-proclaimed lame duck and he will have a hard time to get his deals approved,” Alpher said…
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