VOA标准英语10月-Peres Says Israel Heading for Decisive Election C
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Israeli President Shimon Peres says Israel is heading toward early elections after prime minister-designate Tzipi Livni failed to form a coalition1 government. VOA Jerusalem correspondent Luis Ramirez reports the elections could lead to a change of direction for the Palestinian peace negotiations3. |
| President Shimon Peres (r) and Prime Minister Ehud Olmert at the Knesset, 27 Oct 2008 |
President Shimon Peres told Israeli lawmakers there is no choice but to hold elections, after Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni gave up efforts to form a coalition government.
Peres spoke4 at the opening of the winter session of the Knesset, Israel's parliament.
He said Israel will start a decisive election campaign in the coming days.
The election may bring a clear change of direction for negotiations with the Palestinians. The U.S.-sponsored talks have been going on for almost a year, but remain stuck on the key issues including Palestinian refugees, and the status of Jerusalem, which both sides claim as their capital.
The poll will pit Livni's ruling centrist Kadima party against the Likud Party of right-wing opposition5 candidate Benjamin Netanyahu.
Livni is a pragmatist who favors negotiation2, and has spoken of a need to make territorial6 concessions7 in return for peace.
Netanyahu also wants to negotiate, but opposes handing over territory that Israel gained in the 1967 Arab Israeli War. He launched his campaign at the Knesset, promising8 that any future agreement with the Palestinians will not include handing over parts of the West Bank and the Golan Heights.
He said Jerusalem will not be up for negotiation in any talks he has with the Palestinians.
His remarks prompted angry shouts from Arab-Israeli lawmakers.
Once the Knesset formally approves plans for the poll, the election will likely be scheduled for early 2009 - more than a year ahead of schedule.
The winner will replace Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, who resigned in September as he faced corruption9 allegations. He remains10 in office as a caretaker until a new government is in place.
