Across asia: Israel

Olmert's summit call criticized

Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert drew fire from across the Israeli political spectrum yesterday for calling Arab nations to convene a summit with the Jewish state to discuss a Saudi-drafted peace plan.

"I invite all the heads of the Arab states, including of course the Saudi king whom I consider a very important leader, to hold talks with us," Olmert told a joint press conference with German Chancellor Angela Merkel in Jerusalem late on Sunday.