In yet another 'gesture to empower' Palestinian Authority chief Mahmoud Abbas, Prime Minister Ehud Olmert has given permission for the Orient House to reopen, according to PA newspaper reports. The Orient House was closed several times in the past, most recently in 2001 after the Sbarro terror attack in August of that year. No date has been set yet for the 'gesture,' the reports said, but the PA has applauded Olmert's intent.

Meanwhile, Internal Security Minister Avi Dichter denied the report. Speaking to Arutz 7, Dichter said that there was no basis for the report, and that there was no intention on Israel's part to reopen the building.