Rice brokers deal?

Jeanette links to an interesting story on her beautiful new website:

Rice: Israelis, Palestinians reach deal on Gaza.

The deal came amid political upheaval in Israel that could topple Prime Minister Ariel Sharon’s shaky coalition government. Sharon’s junior partner, the Labor Party, chose a new leader last week who said he would pull the party out of the coalition.

Sharon’s Likud party is still deeply divided following the Gaza pullout. Several lawmakers in the traditionally hard-line party are still furious over what they regard as a tactical mistake and an emotional blow. Without Labor’s support, it will be difficult for Sharon to maintain a parliamentary majority.

The Knesset, Israel’s parliament, is scheduled on Wednesday to vote on a bill to dissolve parliament and force new elections. That could force elections within three months. The scheduled vote is November 2006.

The Palestinians have elections scheduled for January that the United States views as a test of the new leadership’s democratic resolve.

Dr. Rice is a very impressive individual.