[AP/New York Times] Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says he wants to make ''economic peace'' with the Palestinians, and the first fruits are already being seen in eased Israeli restrictions that are stoking a retail and entertainment boom in the West Bank. Netanyahu's policies - along with improved Palestinian security performance - have begun to make a dent, prompting the International Monetary Fund to predict last week that the economy could grow by 7% this year, its first optimistic forecast in three years. ''There is undoubtedly progress happening,'' said international Mideast envoy Tony Blair. Privately, some Palestinian officials acknowledge that Netanyahu has done more in four months than his recent predecessors.
2009-07-21 06:00:00Full ArticleBACK Visit the Daily Alert Archive