In Israel, Ehud Olmert, the prime minister, has been speaking of the need for a peace agreement with the Palestinians by the end of the year.

But he is due to step down as prime minister as his Kadima party prepares for a leadership vote on Wednesday.

The Palestinians main fear is that whoever wins will maintain the status quo: a military occupation consisting of checkpoints, walls, and settlement expansion.

Al Jazeera's Nour Odeh reports.