Finally, a break in the stream of bad news datelined the Middle East. Kadima's leader, Ehud Olmert, will become prime minister of Israel, after his party won the most seats, 28, in Israel’s election, Labor won another 20, and the Pensioners Party, which seeks better rights for the elderly and will probably support Olmert’s withdrawal agenda, won 7 seats, for a total of 55, with 61 needed to form a government. Olmert should be able to find the final 6 seats he needs to become prime minister.
Middle East peace prospects took a turn for the worse in January with Ariel Sharon’s incapacitating stroke, followed by Hamas’ victory in the Palestinian elections. Now Olmert has not only prevailed, with Benjamin Netanyahu’s rejectionist Likud party totally routed, but he has also already issued an appeal to the Palestinians to move toward peace—not an easy gesture the day after the Palestinian parliament installed into office a Hamas-dominated cabinet.
Good for Olmert. Good for Israel. Peace is closer today.
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