Israeli Election Set for February 10, 2009

Following consultation with all political parties, the date for Israel’s general election has been set for February 10, 2009. Until that time current premier Ehud Olmert will continue to hold the top spot in the government, serving as caretaker prime minister. Presumably there will be no progress in diplomatic talks with either the Palestinians or Syria because an interim government is not permitted to make decisions "affecting the existence of the state of Israel," such as re-shaping its borders. But analysts at The Media Line suggest there are indications that Olmert, goaded on by intense pressure from the White House for a diplomatic achievement before the end of U.S. President George W. Bush’s term and his own need for an accomplishment to offset the multiple corruption charges against him, will do whatever he can to test the limits of his power as caretaker prime minister.