Israeli PM not ruling out peace talks with Palestinians

ACTING Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said yesterday he was not ruling out the possibility of future peace talks with the Palestinians, despite the appointment of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh as the new prime minister.

The overwhelming electoral success of Hamas, which calls for Israel’s destruction, damaged any chance of renewing stalled peace negotiations.

Israel has urged the international community to join it in isolating the Palestinian government following the swearing-in of the Hamas-controlled parliament on Saturday.