VOA标准英语2008年-Israel to Replace Olmert as Uncertainty Grows O

Members of Israel's ruling, centrist Kadima party will head to the polls Wednesday to pick a new leader to replace Prime Minister Ehud Olmert. VOA's Luis Ramirez reports from Jerusalem.

Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, who is under investigation¹ for corruption², plans to step down after his centrist Kadima party votes for a new leader Wednesday.

The change of leadership occurs as Israelis face growing uncertainty³ over the future of the peace process with the Palestinians, the threat of Iran's nuclear program, and the militant⁴ group Hamas' control of the Gaza Strip.

Israel is likely heading for general elections in the coming months and analysts⁵ say concerns about security will push Israelis to vote for a more right-wing candidate, possibly the Likud party's Benjamin Netanyahu, who is perceived as strong on security.
　
Supporters of Tzipi Livni, Israeli FM and candidate for Kadima party leadership, seen on the posters on the wall, work at Livni's headquarters in Netanya, Israel, 16 Sep 2008

In these Kadima party primary elections, the front-runners are foreign minister Tzipi Livni and transportation minister Shaul Mofaz, a former chief of staff and defense⁶ minister. Both have pledged to be tough on security issues, saying they will not tolerate a nuclear Iran or militants⁷ in the Palestinian territories.

Opinion polls have shown Livni in the lead, despite concerns by some who say she does not have enough security experience.

Still, some Israelis interviewed on the streets Tuesday said they see Livni, with her clean reputation and experience in negotiating with the Palestinians, as a last hope for peace.

This Jewish settler who says she was removed from a settlement in Gaza, tells VOA she is pessimistic about prospects⁸ for peace as she prepares to cast her ballot⁹ Wednesday.

She says she will give Tzipi Livni a chance, but says she does not think there will be peace here in 200 years.

Analysts say it will be weeks before it is known what new direction Israel's leadership will take. Whoever wins these primaries will have to set up a new governing coalition¹⁰.

The United States wants to see a peace agreement by the end of the year, but there is little hope that will happen. Both sides report no signs of progress.

Livni has cautioned against rushing into a premature¹¹ deal.

The Palestinians say an agreement must address all of their long-standing concerns, which include the right of return for Arabs displaced from their places of origin in Israel, the status of Jerusalem as the capital of a Palestinian state, and Jewish settlements in the West Bank and east Jerusalem.

 

1 investigation   

n.调查，调查研究

参考例句：

• In an investigation,a new fact became known, which told against him.在调查中新发现了一件对他不利的事实。
• He drew the conclusion by building on his own investigation.他根据自己的调查研究作出结论。

2 corruption   

n.腐败，堕落，贪污

参考例句：

• The people asked the government to hit out against corruption and theft.人民要求政府严惩贪污盗窃。
• The old man reviled against corruption.那老人痛斥了贪污舞弊。

3 uncertainty   

n.易变，靠不住，不确知，不确定的事物

参考例句：

• Her comments will add to the uncertainty of the situation.她的批评将会使局势更加不稳定。
• After six weeks of uncertainty,the strain was beginning to take its toll.6个星期的忐忑不安后，压力开始产生影响了。

4 militant   

adj.激进的，好斗的；n.激进分子，斗士

参考例句：

• Some militant leaders want to merge with white radicals.一些好斗的领导人要和白人中的激进派联合。
• He is a militant in the movement.他在那次运动中是个激进人物。

5 analysts   

分析家，化验员( analyst的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• City analysts forecast huge profits this year. 伦敦金融分析家预测今年的利润非常丰厚。
• I was impressed by the high calibre of the researchers and analysts. 研究人员和分析人员的高素质给我留下了深刻印象。

6 defense   

n.防御，保卫；[pl.]防务工事；辩护，答辩

参考例句：

• The accused has the right to defense.被告人有权获得辩护。
• The war has impacted the area with military and defense workers.战争使那个地区挤满了军队和防御工程人员。

7 militants   

激进分子，好斗分子( militant的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• The militants have been sporadically fighting the government for years. 几年来，反叛分子一直对政府实施零星的战斗。
• Despite the onslaught, Palestinian militants managed to fire off rockets. 尽管如此，巴勒斯坦的激进分子仍然发射导弹。

8 prospects   

n.希望，前途(恒为复数)

参考例句：

• There is a mood of pessimism in the company about future job prospects. 公司中有一种对工作前景悲观的情绪。
• They are less sanguine about the company's long-term prospects. 他们对公司的远景不那么乐观。

9 ballot   

n.（不记名）投票，投票总数，投票权；vi.投票

参考例句：

• The members have demanded a ballot.会员们要求投票表决。
• The union said they will ballot members on whether to strike.工会称他们将要求会员投票表决是否罢工。

10 coalition   

n.结合体，同盟，结合，联合

参考例句：

• The several parties formed a coalition.这几个政党组成了政治联盟。
• Coalition forces take great care to avoid civilian casualties.联盟军队竭尽全力避免造成平民伤亡。

11 premature   

adj.比预期时间早的；不成熟的，仓促的

参考例句：

• It is yet premature to predict the possible outcome of the dialogue.预言这次对话可能有什么结果为时尚早。
• The premature baby is doing well.那个早产的婴儿很健康。