Israel sounds out Bush on West Bank settlement

With formal peacemaking a dim prospect at this volatile time, Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert intends to sound out US President George Bush today about Olmert’s ambitious plan to impose a West Bank settlement on the Palestinians.

While Olmert might not get a conclusive answer from Bush, the Israeli leader is looking for clues into whether the president will insist that any plan to carve up the West Bank with the aim of a peaceful solution must be approved by Palestinian leaders and should not be imposed by Israel.