Israel‘s cabinet is expected at its Sunday meeting to vote to restore normal relations with the Palestinian government. It has withheld recognition since Hamas took control of the government following elections in January 2006. When internecine warfare between Hamas and Fatah, led by Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud ‘Abbas, culminated in Hamas conquering the Gaza Strip, ‘Abbas dissolved the government and appointed a new one, headed by Salam Fayyad as prime minister. Under guidance from the United States, the Israeli government is doing what it can to boost ‘Abbas and his new government in the eyes of the Palestinian people. Olmert’s immediate contribution to the American plan will be to resume the transfer of customs fees and value-added taxes collected by Israel on behalf of the Palestinian Authority per the Oslo Accords but which have been frozen. Analysts at The Media Line point out that it is a policy that has been tried before, and as has happened previously, Hamas will use the warming of relations as "proof" that ‘Abbas and company conspire with the Americans and Israelis. Nevertheless, on Monday, Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert will fly to Sharm A-Sheikh for a meeting with ‘Abbas and their first tête-à-tête since Fatah’s loss of the Gaza Strip. The meeting, mediated by Egypt and Jordan, is being described as a preliminary session to set the guidelines for political negotiations between Israel and the new Palestinian government.