The summit between U.S. President George W. Bush and the leaders of Egypt, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and the Palestinian Authority got underway Tuesday morning in Sharm el-Sheikh. Before the summit began, Bush held a private meeting with Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak. At a concluding press conference, Arab leaders, led by Mubarak, expressed support for the US-sponsored Road Map and condemned terrorism. Tomorrow, Bush flies to Aqaba for his talks with Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and Abu Mazen.
Israel has already taken some steps along the map laid out by the United States and the Quartet. Yesterday, Israel lifted the closure on Judea, Samaria and Gaza and permitted over 10,000 Arab laborers to exit the Palestinian Authority for work. Also yesterday, Israel began the release of Arab security prisoners from its jails. Among those released from Ofer prison was Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine (DFLP) leader, Sair Khaled. He had been arrested by IDF troops in Shechem just six months ago. After his release, Khaled, a senior PLO member, went to Ramallah for talks with Yasser Arafat. Another of those due to be released is Abu Sukkar, a terrorist who on July 4, 1975, detonated an explosives-laden refrigerator in Jerusalem's Zion Square, killing 14 people and wounding more than 70. Today, at least 100 prisoners will be released, as a "goodwill gesture."
As another gesture of goodwill to Abu Mazen, ahead of tomorrow's Aqaba summit, Israel has extended the fishing limit for fishermen from the PA to ten miles from shore. Israel is strict about the fishing distances in light of the many attempts the PA has made to smuggle in arms for terrorist purposes. The Arabs, for their part, claim that they need the deeper waters for better fishing.
In addition, Knesset Speaker Reuven Rivlin told the Haaretz newspaper that Prime Minister Ariel Sharon is planning to eventually evacuate 17 Jewish communities in Judea and Samaria. Among those on the list are Nokdim, Tekoa, Ganim, Kadim and Homesh. On the other hand, Rivlin says, the prime minister is adamant that he will not evacuate Netzarim and Kfar Darom in Gaza. In the meantime, Sharon is expected to announce his commitment to remove unrecognized Jewish "outposts" in Judea and Samaria at tomorrow's Aqaba summit with Abu Mazen and George Bush.
As for the PLO, IDF Chief of Staff Brig.-Gen. Moshe Ya'alon reportedly told the Knesset Foreign Affairs & Defense Committee this morning that there is a fair chance of a cease-fire with Palestinian Authority. Ya'alon, according to Israel Radio, said that Hamas may accept the cease-fire proposal of Palestinian Authority Prime Minister Mahmoud (Abu Mazen) Abbas. The PA public has expressed general support for the diplomatic process currently underway, and Hamas does not want to appear to be harming the interests of the PA in the coming negotiations, Ya'alon said.
Israel has already taken some steps along the map laid out by the United States and the Quartet. Yesterday, Israel lifted the closure on Judea, Samaria and Gaza and permitted over 10,000 Arab laborers to exit the Palestinian Authority for work. Also yesterday, Israel began the release of Arab security prisoners from its jails. Among those released from Ofer prison was Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine (DFLP) leader, Sair Khaled. He had been arrested by IDF troops in Shechem just six months ago. After his release, Khaled, a senior PLO member, went to Ramallah for talks with Yasser Arafat. Another of those due to be released is Abu Sukkar, a terrorist who on July 4, 1975, detonated an explosives-laden refrigerator in Jerusalem's Zion Square, killing 14 people and wounding more than 70. Today, at least 100 prisoners will be released, as a "goodwill gesture."
As another gesture of goodwill to Abu Mazen, ahead of tomorrow's Aqaba summit, Israel has extended the fishing limit for fishermen from the PA to ten miles from shore. Israel is strict about the fishing distances in light of the many attempts the PA has made to smuggle in arms for terrorist purposes. The Arabs, for their part, claim that they need the deeper waters for better fishing.
In addition, Knesset Speaker Reuven Rivlin told the Haaretz newspaper that Prime Minister Ariel Sharon is planning to eventually evacuate 17 Jewish communities in Judea and Samaria. Among those on the list are Nokdim, Tekoa, Ganim, Kadim and Homesh. On the other hand, Rivlin says, the prime minister is adamant that he will not evacuate Netzarim and Kfar Darom in Gaza. In the meantime, Sharon is expected to announce his commitment to remove unrecognized Jewish "outposts" in Judea and Samaria at tomorrow's Aqaba summit with Abu Mazen and George Bush.
As for the PLO, IDF Chief of Staff Brig.-Gen. Moshe Ya'alon reportedly told the Knesset Foreign Affairs & Defense Committee this morning that there is a fair chance of a cease-fire with Palestinian Authority. Ya'alon, according to Israel Radio, said that Hamas may accept the cease-fire proposal of Palestinian Authority Prime Minister Mahmoud (Abu Mazen) Abbas. The PA public has expressed general support for the diplomatic process currently underway, and Hamas does not want to appear to be harming the interests of the PA in the coming negotiations, Ya'alon said.