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Concessions on Jerusalem Explored
by Eli Lake
 The Saudi initiative that would divide Jerusalem, a proposal which was endorsed by the Arab League in 2002, is expected to be a central point of discussion at an Arab League summit in Riyadh at the end of the month. After meeting Sunday with Israeli Prime Minister Olmert and Mahmoud Abbas, Secretary of State Rice will fly to Egypt to meet her Egyptian, Jordanian, Saudi, and United Arab Emirates counterparts to discuss, one State Department official said, "strategies for marketing the Arab peace offer." Former Israeli ambassador to the UN Dore Gold said: "Those who believe that redividing Jerusalem by advancing the Saudi plan will lower the flames of radical Islamic rage have absolutely no idea of what they are dealing with. Any proposal to give the Hamas government the hope of taking over Jerusalem will shoot up jihadism in the region by giving new hope to al-Qaeda affiliates that Jerusalem is within their grasp." (New York Sun)
Israel Will Either Talk or Attack
by Yossi Alpher
 Logically, the fact that Abbas, as president of Palestine, now oversees a government in which Fatah has a stake in a power-sharing arrangement, should make him more attractive to Israel as a negotiating partner. After all, Abbas, generally considered a weak and ineffective leader, albeit a man of integrity, could now conceivably be able to "deliver" a little more effectively than previously, when Hamas constituted the entire government. Then too, Abbas retains control over the National Security Council and has appointed Mohammed Dahlan his national security adviser. This presents Israel with an attractive non-PA "address" for its security concerns. Moreover, Saudi sponsorship of the agreement that produced this government ostensibly reflects an enhanced degree of Saudi influence over it - an additional mitigating factor in favor of exploring the prospects for a viable political process with Abbas. (Middle East Times-Egypt)
Hang Tough with Hamas
Editorial
Fortunately, an embargo on aid to the PA hasn't prevented humanitarian assistance from reaching Palestinians through organizations such as the UN's World Food Program. That fact makes it easier for the U.S. to argue - even as it talks to Palestinian moderates - that the Quartet must hang tough with Hamas. (Los Angeles Times)
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Scapegoating Israel, Again
by Moishe Smith and Daniel S. Mariaschin
 We will demand that human rights standards be applied universally. It is inconceivable that while global human rights atrocities continue, while women are not allowed to congregate publicly in Iran, genocide continues in Darfur, and North Koreans starve to death, that Israel remains the only target of the United Nations Human Rights Council. Moishe Smith is the president of B’nai B’rith International. Daniel S. Mariaschin is the organization's executive vice president. (Ynet News)
Back to the Clinton Plan
by Shlomo Ben-Ami
 Historic breakthroughs have generally occurred in the meeting place between conditions that are ripe and a leadership that can carry its people into making a difficult and necessary decision. The conditions are ripe indeed. Never since the beginning of Zionist aliyah has the Arab world - which is so fearful of an Islamic fundamentalist tsunami - been so ready to reach an arrangement with the Jewish state. As we have said, however, it is not enough for the conditions to be ripe. Without straightforward, far-sighted leadership that can tell the people the plain home truths, this window of opportunity, too, will turn into just another tragic missed opportunity. The writer is a former Israeli foreign minister (Ha'aretz)
Judged by Its Actions
Editorial
The Palestinian unity government deserves a chance, and its very establishment is a positive sign, even if its platform is far from satisfactory as far as Israel is concerned. The massive weaponry in Gaza the Shin Bet has reported seeing may give rise to hesitations, but such weaponry is also present in Israel, and across the border in Syria, Lebanon and Egypt. Israel must do its best to ensure that no weapon will be used, and the way to achieve this is through dialogue. Even a cease-fire of many years' duration, as Hamas proposes, is a better offer than an ongoing war, for which we must always be prepared. (Ha'aretz)
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