Israel's Prime Minister Ehud Olmert attends a memorial ceremony for the late Zeev Jabotinsky at the Mount Herzl cemetery in Jerusalem July 31, 2008. Jabotinsky was the founder of the Revisionist movement that laid the ideological foundation for Israeli right-wing parties. Olmert's rivals jostled for Israel's leadership on Thursday after his decision to resign, but aides said he could still stay in office long enough to forge a statehood deal with the Palestinians. REUTERS/David Furst/Pool (JERUSALEM) Yahoo News/AFP:
JERUSALEM - Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's decision to leave office has dealt a serious setback to delicate peace negotiations with both the Palestinians and Syria.
The chances are good the next Israeli leader will take a hard line toward the country's Arab neighbors. But if Olmert is able to lock in some progress in the time he has left, his successor might have a hard time reversing it.
It's also possible that Olmert won't be replaced by a hawk, even though current polls show former Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who opposes most peace concessions, to be Israel's most popular politician.
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More News On Olmert's Resignation
Ehud Olmert resignation throws Israel's politics into turmoil -- The Guardian
Olmert bows to pressure and announces resignation -- Independent
Middle East peace process in turmoil as Ehud Olmert announces exit -- Times Online
Olmert plows ahead on peace talks -- Christian Science Monitor
Highlights of Ehud Olmert's political career -- Yahoo News/AP
Israel's Likud calls for early vote -- Al Jazeera
The contenders to be Israel's next prime minister -- Christian Science Monitor
Battle for power: The candidates who could succeed Ehud Olmert as Israel's prime minister -- The Guardian
Battle lines drawn to succeed Olmert -- Globe And Mail
Olmert exit could affect Israel talks-Syrian envoy -- Reuters
Fourth round of Turkey-mediated Syria-Israel peace talks ends -- China View
Syria, Israel to hold more indirect talks -- Jerusalem Post
Syria and Israel may hold new talks next month -- Reuters
Israel After Olmert -- Time Magazine
My Comment: Many pundits are commenting that this puts back the peace process significantly. I have a different point of view .... there never has been a peace process in this part of the world for a very long time. What can go back when there has been nothing there.