Latest Prophecy Commentary
Israeli prime minister to resign, raises doubts on Mideast peace
Olmert, whose term was to end in 2010, said he would not run in his party's primary election, set for Sept. 17, and would step down afterward "in order to allow the chairman to be elected and form a different government quickly and efficiently." He did not answer questions from reporters.
Olmert's popularity dropped below 20 percent at one point after his bloody but inconclusive war in Lebanon in 2006, and a string of corruption allegations and police interrogations have battered him in recent months. Political analysts here have predicted his resignation for weeks.
In Washington, the State Department said Olmert's eventual departure from his post would not affect U.S. efforts to broker some kind of peace agreement with the Palestinians by the end of the year.
"The Israelis will work out their own politics," spokesman Sean McCormack told reporters. "We are going to look forward to working with all responsible Israeli leaders in the government, whether it is this government or some future government. I'm just not going to comment on their politics."
His decision not to run in the Kadima Party primary sets in motion a process to choose a new prime minister. Main candidates in his party are Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni and Transport Minister Shaul Mofaz, a former defense minister and military chief of staff.
Polls show Livni with an advantage in the primary. If she were to replace Olmert, she would become Israel's second female prime minister, after Golda Meir. Yahoo News
A fresh round of indirect peace talks between Israel and Syria, mediated by Turkey, ended on Wednesday and a fifth round is due next month, a senior source close to the talks told the Reuters news agency. Israel and Syria launched the talks in May but have not yet agreed to hold face-to-face negotiations.
"The fourth round has ended. It was positive. The fifth round will be in mid-August, and again indirect," the senior source close to the talks told Reuters. The talks took place at an undisclosed location in Istanbul. Ynet News
European businesses would choose the UK's ex-leader, Tony Blair, as the new EU president, with German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Luxembourg's prime minister, Jean-Claude Juncker, featuring as other front-runners for the position in a fresh poll.
The survey was carried out by financial news channel CNBC Europe, with Mr Blair supported by 37 percent of respondents, Ms Merkel 23 percent and Mr Juncker 12 percent of pollsters, UK daily the Guardian reported. EUObserver
Sen. Barack Obama, D-Illinois, met with House Democrats yesterday, talking about his trip abroad and his observations.
Obama told the caucus, according to an attendee, "Nobody said this to me directly but I get the feeling from my talks that if the sanctions don’t work Israel is going to strike Iran." Others in the room recall this as well. ABC News
Analysis
Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert has announced that he will be stepping
down and would not run in his party's primary
election, set for Sept. 17. He will, however, stay on as
prime minister until his successor has been elected. If all goes well,
Israel could have a new government in place by October. Some polls
indicate that Benjamin Netanyahu, Opposition leader and Likud
Party Chairman, is considered the front runner to win the post. Others are
speculating that Foreign
Minister Livni could take the top job.
Prime Minister Olmert resignation is not at all a surprise, in fact, it was just a matter of time, especially after the corruption charges began to mount. As for who his successor will be, that's a hard call, but I would be shocked if it turned out to be Benjamin Netanyahu. But truthfully, he is the best person for the job given his hawkish, no nonsense approach to negotiating with terrorists (he won't) and Iran. He would be a disaster as far as the global community is concerned in regards to Middle East peace and the progress already made. But whoever is elected, make no mistake, at an appointed time, peace is coming...then there will be great tribulation.
Senator Barack Obama met with House Democrats yesterday, and after hearing him speak regarding Israel and Iran, many at the meeting took it that if sanctions were to fail Israel would be striking out against their nuclear facilities. "According to an attendee, 'Nobody said this to me directly but I get the feeling from my talks that if the sanctions don’t work Israel is going to strike Iran.' Others in the room recall this as well." ABC News
With the soon changing of the guard in Israel and the possibility of a military strike on Iran's nuclear facilities, it will be interesting to see what direction God takes this scenario next.
Are you ready to meet the Lord? If not, your time is running out!
Terry Malone
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