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ANALYSIS / A sense of deja vu in pre-election peace talks By Aluf Benn, Haaretz Correspondent Tags: peace process, Israel News  Israeli governments have made crucial decisions on war and peace before elections, and no one challenged the legitimacy of their right to do so. Golda Meir decided not to approve a preemptive strike ahead of Yom Kippur 1973, and afterward ordered the army to fight for three weeks in an attempt to push back the Syrians and the Egyptians. Elections were to have taken place at the end of that month. Menachem Begin ordered the bombing of the Iraqi nuclear facility on the eve of elections in 1981, and even those who charged him with "election bombing" did not argue that the decision was immoral. Yitzhak Shamir conducted talks in Washington with the Palestinians, the Jordanians and the Syrians until close to elections in 1992. Although the process was politically controversial - the right wing left the coalition and brought down Shamir - he was not accused of a "grab." Advertisement During the Taba talks with the Palestinians at the end of Ehud Barak's term in office and the escalation of the intifada, the attorney general at that time, Elyakim Rubinstein, questioned the moral authority and reasonability of talks by a prime minister who who had resigned. However, a High Court ruling sanctioned the talks. The issue has now come up again with Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's decision to renew indirect talks with Syria. The last round ended in July on the day Olmert resigned. He did nothing since on the Syrian track until the Livni-led coalition talks on an alternative cabinet collapsed. A source in Olmert's bureau said there is no chance of an agreement or even a breakthrough, however: "it will take years to renew talks with the Syrians and we want to leave a living channel after us." This approach is said to be supported by the professional level in the defense establishment. "What hypocrisy," a source in Olmert's bureau said of the objections to the talks with Syria. "Those same people who are pressuring Olmert to get Gilad Shalit back, who know the price will be the release of hundreds of prisoners with blood on their hands and strategic damage to Israel, have no problem with it - the main thing being that Olmert clears it off the desk." The assumption that Olmert wants an achievement on the Syrian track stems from the political circumstances: Olmert is not running again and can therefore make daring decisions. He may want to try to leave behind a legacy that outstrips criminal issues and has declared his support for withdrawal. The right finds it easy to attack the renewal of talks with Syria to present Kadima as leftist. Tzipi Livni therefore issued a statement saying she was uncomfortable with the renewal of the Syrian track, although she agreed to "maintenance talks," thus appearing middle-of-the-road. Related articles: And for their next act ... Olmert's moment Olmert wins no firm pledge from Russia on arms sales to Iran, Syria Bookmark to del.icio.us   Never walk alone It's safe to assume that Obama won't abandon Israel. Apprehensive in Israel Rightist MK Aryeh Eldad warns 'Israel should be wary of Barack Obama'   1.   No way 03:58  |  Mark Lincoln 02/11/08   2.   Olmert trying to leave behind a Legacy..... 08:14  |  Dagma 02/11/08   3.   so what isthe point of this article? 08:53  |  howard 02/11/08   4.   Talks 11:09  |  Dani 02/11/08   5.   legitimacy 11:58  |  outraged 02/11/08   6.   pre-election peace talks 12:10  |  Ralph 02/11/08   7.   The people will decide and Aluf Benn will be disappointed 16:33  |  Realist 02/11/08   8.   Your History is Wrong 18:24  |  John Cohn 02/11/08   9.   pre-election? 21:25  |  TGVZG 02/11/08   10.   Olmert needs to stop trying to give away Israel 09:03  |  Ken Jurist 06/11/08

Read & React PM heads to D.C. to wrangle last favors from Bush Responses: 7 World Bank: Palestinian economy could flourish if Israel eased restrictions Responses: 3 Obama kick-starts transition, picks Israeli Rahm Emanuel as chief of staff Responses: 82 Israel Harel: Beilin has distanced us from peace for generations Send response More Headlines 03:53 PM heads to D.C. to wrangle last favors from Bush 04:42 ANALYSIS / Obama will find Bush has done the peacemaking for him 09:05 Gaza gunman killed in IAF strike, after day of renewed hostilities 04:44 ANALYSIS / IDF raid in Gaza designed to prevent another Shalit-type abduction 04:47 Obama will be 'great president, great friend of Israel,' U.S. envoy says 08:27 World Bank: Palestinian economy could flourish if Israel eased restrictions 09:00 Obama kick-starts transition, picks Israeli Rahm Emanuel as chief of staff 21:54 Openly gay Jewish candidate makes history with Colorado win 04:54 Obama's historic win revives the black-Jewish civil rights alliance 05:08 'Obama effect' may boost Mizrahi, Arab Israeli quest to reach premiership 09:14 Haredi candidate to bow out of Tel Aviv mayoral race 05:27 How Dankner and Tshuva lost $810 million in Las Vegas 05:32 Livni moves to secure No. 2 spot on Kadima list for rival Mofaz 05:37 New law regulates research of dangerous bacteria and viruses Previous Editions Select Day 05 nov 04 nov 03 nov 02 nov 31 oct 30 oct 29 oct 28 oct 27 oct 26 oct 24 oct 23 oct

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