Abbas Makes Peace Gesture to Israel

[idontwantaname]

Abbas Makes Peace Gesture to Israel

By MOHAMMED DARAGHMEH, Associated Press Writer

RAMALLAH, West Bank - Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas extended his hand in peace Monday, his first gesture toward Israel since his landslide victory in presidential elections.

The comments added to the sense of optimism felt in the region since Abbas' election Sunday. The victory, which capped a peaceful transition of power after the Nov. 11 death of longtime leader Yasser Arafat (news - web sites), has raised hopes around the world that peace talks could soon resume.

"We extend our hands to our neighbors," Abbas declared late Monday after a meeting with international observers who monitored the election. "We are ready for peace, peace based on justice. We hope that their response will be positive."

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http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=514&e=1&u=/ap/20050110/ap_on_re_mi_ea/israel_palestinians_2

[leftyandproud]

1. funny they failed to mention..

in his inaugural speech, he said he would protect members of hezbollah, hamas, and other terror groups from Israeli police...that he wanted the "resistance" to live a "life of dignity" under his government...They also failed to mention that he is embracing all of Arafat's policies, including the demand that Israel retreat to the 1949 (I believe) borders...cutting the coutnry by more than 60%...demanding the Jeruselum be the new capitol of PALESTINE, and also demanding complete right of return (to Israel) for MILLIONS of Palestines that NEVER LIVED IN ISRAEL...in hopes of destroying the country demographically first, and violently if necessary..


but yeah...a man of "peace".

[forgethell]

2. But..but..but

he says all the right things.

[theresistance]

3. The PLO's policy since 1988...

Has been for Israel to withdraw to the 1967 borders, leaving a Palestinian state on 100% of the area of the West Bank and Gaza. This would be a just peace, but the trouble is, Israel is the one against peace, by eg. building illegal colonies on the West Bank. Abbas' test will be to stick to this policy, which is what Arafat fought for. Anything less will be an absolute capitulation and surrender of Palestinian rights.

[lastknowngood]

4. another Bush and Sharon bootlicker. Were setting up puppets

all over the middle east.

[Scurrilous]

5. Sharon to call to congratulate Abbas, set meeting

http://www.haaretzdaily.com/hasen/spages/525427.html

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"Prime Minister Ariel Sharon was planning to telephone Palestinian president-elect Mahmoud Abbas today to congratulate him on Sunday's election victory. Government sources in Jerusalem said on Monday that arrangements were being made for a meeting between Abbas and Sharon in the coming days."

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"Sharon adviser Dov Weisglass is in working contact with Palestinian Finance Minister Salam Fayyad; the two met two weeks ago for a working meeting but no plans have been finalized for a meeting between their bosses."

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"Foreign Minister Silvan Shalom said, "If there is progress toward quiet on the Palestinian side, Israel will consider progress toward prisoner releases, more work permits for Palestinians inside Israel, removing illegal outposts and withdrawing to the lines before the intifada."

Vice Premier Shimon Peres called Abbas on Monday to congratulate him. "Israel will do all it can to help the Palestinians establish a democratic government, so we can live in peace as two democracies side by side," said Peres."