1. ‘ABBAS MAY BYPASS HAMAS IN PEACE BID…If Hamas will not consider launching negotiations with Israel then Palestinian leader Mahmoud ‘Abbas may use the Palestine Liberation Organization for the purpose. That is the message coming from ‘Abbas’ office in Ramallah. The PLO still has some powers and could be used as a bypass if Hamas continues to hold its position that it does not recognize Israel. Washington is publicly urging ‘Abbas to stay in office, despite the defeat of his Fatah party in this week’s parliamentary elections.
2. ISRAEL SAYS NO TO TALKS, FOR NOW…Israel will not negotiate with a Palestinian Authority headed by Hamas, according to Jerusalem. The decision was taken during a meeting on Thursday night of senior ministers and security officials. One option being discussed is further unilateral measures, following what Acting Prime Minister Ehud Olmert sees as the highly successful withdrawal from Gaza last August. If there is no one with whom to negotiate Israel could well consider similar moves in what it calls Judea and Samaria, or the West Bank. The Media Line analysts say it is likely though that talks will commence with the Palestinian Authority in the mid term, whether publicly or in camera.
3. QUARTET URGES HAMAS TO END TERROR…Hamas must end its terror attacks and turn its face towards peace and recognition of Israel, according to senior representatives of the international Quartet. The United States, Russia, European Union and the United Nations issued a joint statement overnight after a phone conversation between them. They spoke of the need for acceptance of two states for two peoples, noting that Hamas’ constitution calls for the destruction of Israel. They added that there is a major conflict between the notion of true democracy and a government being controlled by an armed organization.