[Washington Post] Editorial - On Monday, Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert offered the release of "numerous" Palestinian prisoners, a significant reduction in controls on the movement of people and goods in Gaza and the West Bank, and a full reopening of negotiations to create a Palestinian state. The Olmert initiative represents a genuine opportunity for Arab governments and Mr. Abbas. The challenge for the Palestinians is to break the deadlock on forming a government that can release abducted IDF Cpl. Gilad Shalit and commit itself to a peaceful settlement. That would unlock Israel's concessions on prisoners and movement, renew frozen international aid, and allow discussions on a final settlement. But it will require Hamas to soften the intransigent policy of rejection it has held since taking office. Do Palestinians really want their own state, or an endless war of attrition against Israel? Arab and European governments that have been insisting an Israeli-Palestinian settlement is the key to stabilizing the region must now insist that Hamas answer that question.
2006-11-30 01:00:00Full ArticleBACK Visit the Daily Alert Archive