Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert phoned Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud ‘Abbas on Monday to note the conclusion of the holy month of Ramadan. It marks the first direct communication between the two leaders in more than three months. Both men have said they are ready to meet, but neither has been forthcoming in trying to set a date. Olmert has said that while he is ready to meet ‘Abbas, the meeting cannot happen until an Israeli soldier, Cpl. Gilad Shalit, kidnapped in June is released. For his part, ‘Abbas has injected the precondition of Israel releasing Palestinian prisoners, which has been rejected by Olmert.