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Peace Process

Court asked to order end to Olmert-Syria talks



By Stan Goodenough
November 05, 2008

Israel's High Court of Justice was petitioned Monday to stop disgraced Prime Minister Ehud Olmert from pursuing "peace" talks with Syria in the last weeks of his premiership.

Likud Party Knesset Member Limor Livnat asked the court to intervene a day after Attorney-General Menahem Mazuz ruled that there was nothing illegal about Olmert overseeing negotiations or carrying out any other prime ministerial duties despite his having resigned.

The Israeli press has abounded with reports in recent days alleging that Olmert has indicated a willingness to hand the Golan Heights to Syria in exchange for that country's readiness to make peace. This follows unverified reports that US President George W. Bush promised Syria he would squeeze Israel into relinquishing the heights if Syria agreed to move out of Iran's orbit.

"We are dealing with processes whose implications could significantly affect the country for many years to come," Livnat wrote in her petition, according to Ynetnews.

"Such negotiations must not be conducted by a resigning prime minister."

Olmert reportedly faces imminent indictment on corruption charges. He has already been replaced as the chairman of the Kadima Party and only remains in office because Israel has decided to go to early elections next February.

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