Israeli President Shimon Peres says Israel is heading toward early elections after prime minister-designate Tzipi Livni failed to form a coalition government. The elections could lead to a change of direction for the Palestinian peace negotiations.
以色列总统佩雷斯说，以色列正在准备进行提前选举。此前，指定总理利夫尼组成联合政府的努力失败。选举可能改变巴勒斯坦和平谈判的方向。
President Shimon Peres told Israeli lawmakers there is no choice but to hold elections, after Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni gave up efforts to form a coalition government.
佩雷斯总统对以色列议员说，在外长利夫尼放弃组成联合政府的努力之后，别无选择，只能进行选举。
Peres spoke at the opening of the winter session of the Knesset, Israel's parliament.
佩雷斯在以色列议会开始冬季会期时发表讲话。
He said Israel will start a decisive election campaign in the coming days.
佩雷斯说，以色列将在未来几天里开始决定性的竞选。
The election may bring a clear change of direction for negotiations with the Palestinians. The U.S.-sponsored talks have been going on for almost a year, but remain stuck on the key issues including Palestinian refugees, and the status of Jerusalem, which both sides claim as their capital.
选举可能给和巴勒斯坦人谈判的方向带来明显变化。美国发起的谈判进行了大约1年，但是在主要问题上仍然陷入僵局，其中包括巴勒斯坦难民和耶路撒冷地位问题。双方都声称耶路撒冷是他们的首都。
The poll will pit Livni's ruling centrist Kadima party against the Likud Party of right-wing opposition candidate Benjamin Netanyahu.
竞选将在利夫尼的执政党--中间派的“前进党”和右翼反对派候选人内塔尼亚胡的“利库德党”之间进行。
Livni is a pragmatist who favors negotiation, and has spoken of a need to make territorial concessions in return for peace.
利夫尼是个务实派，她支持谈判，而且说过有必要做出领土上的让步以换取和平。
Netanyahu also wants to negotiate, but opposes handing over territory that Israel gained in the 1967 Arab Israeli War. He launched his campaign at the Knesset, promising that any future agreement with the Palestinians will not include handing over parts of the West Bank and the Golan Heights.
内塔尼亚胡也希望谈判，但是反对交出以色列在1967年阿以战争时夺取的领土。他在以色列议会启动竞选，他保证未来与巴勒斯坦人的任何协定不会包括交出西岸和戈兰高地的部分地区。
He said Jerusalem will not be up for negotiation in any talks he has with the Palestinians.
内塔尼亚胡说，耶路撒冷不会包括在他和巴勒斯坦人的任何谈判中。
His remarks prompted angry shouts from Arab-Israeli lawmakers.
他的讲话引起阿拉伯裔以色列议员的愤怒呛声。
Once the Knesset formally approves plans for the poll, the election will likely be scheduled for early 2009 - more than a year ahead of schedule.
一旦以色列议会正式批准竞选计划，选举可能会定在2009年初举行，比计划提前1年多。
The winner will replace Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, who resigned in September as he faced corruption allegations. He remains in office as a caretaker until a new government is in place.
选举的胜者将接替奥尔默特总理。奥尔默特因面临腐败指控于今年9月辞职。在新政府组成之前，奥尔默特将一直担任看守总理。 |