Israeli Prime Minister, Ehud Olmert, due to face parliament dissolution bill, has lost last chance to make ceasefire negotiations with Hamas mediated by Egypt work in his favour. A rocket attack on Israeli border town of Sderot from Hamas controlled Gaza strip not only violated ceasefire within five days, but is also likely to cost Ehud Olmert his office. Knesset, Israeli Parliament, is set to vote for a bill for its dissolution today. Faced with growing opposition demand to step down or face the bill, the Israeli Prime Minister tried his best to overcome domestic troubles by forging new diplomatic openings and dialogue to give peace a chance in Middle East.
He was hopeful that six-month ceasefire with Hamas and dialogue with Syria and Lebanon will get more votes for him. But the rocket attack violating truce might change it all. Now nothing can bail him out of the situation. His main coalition partners Labour and Shas are now likely to go along the opposition. The opposition needs two third of 120 MPs to vote in favour of dissolution. Israel looks all set for new elections and new Prime Minister before the end of this year.
Islamic Jihad of Hamas attacked because one of its local militant commanders was killed in West Bank. Israel has kept West Bank out of preview of truce negotiations and ceasefire and Mahmoud Abbas, the moderate President of the Palestinian Authority, retains total control over it.
Peace in West Bank and Gaza strip has forever eluded Middle East. It can slip through small loop-holes in the negotiations of ceasefire and truce with all factions. It was wrong of Ehud Olmert to bank on elusive peace and ceasefire to work for him to overcome domestic woes.
Source: TimesOnline
