The Palestinian Authority (PA), in return, will continue to promise to get tough on terrorism, said Ra'anan Gissin, spokesman for Prime Minister Ariel Sharon. "Israel will take steps to help [the PA] in gaining control over the [Gaza] area," explained Gissin. He added that Israel is willing to remove roadblocks and ease travel restrictions, so long as they do not "carry a security penalty."
Weisglass and PA negotiator Saeb Erekat also are to discuss a final date for the summit meeting between Sharon and PA leader Mahmoud Abbas, tentatively set for Tuesday, one day before the Yom Kippur holiday begins.
A "good will" offer to free more Arab prisoners, in addition to the 900 already released, was confirmed by Justice Minister Tzipi Livni, who also heads the Committee on Prisoner Release. Finance Minister Ehud Olmert and Foreign Minister Silvan Shalom said on Thursday that any prisoner release will not include terrorists with "blood on their hands." Olmert added, "We can consider anything that can ease the lives of (Palestinians) and won‘t endanger Israel's security."
The summit is considered a showpiece for both Israel and the PA, whose chairman, Abbas, is scheduled to meet with US President George W. Bush on October 20th. Both leaders face elections next year and are anxious for an agreement that will impress the American government while putting at ease voters at home, noted the Washington Times.
Erekat said, "I don't think Israelis and Palestinians can afford a failed summit at this stage."
Participation of Hamas in the upcoming PA legislative elections also is likely to be discussed by Sharon and Abbas. The PA already has suggested postponing the scheduled January vote for a second time under the threat that Hamas and other terrorist groups will win a plurality of seats. Sharon has stated that Israel will hinder the electoral process if Hamas runs candidates without disarming.
"Israeli behavior needs to contribute to an atmosphere of hope," said Kadoura Fares, a Palestinian legislator who warned against Israeli intervention in the elections. "They don't need to embarrass the Palestinian Authority."
Gissin, spokesman for Sharon, remarked, "We are ready to provide Abu Mazen [Abbas] with gestures, but it requires Abu Mazen to help himself. A new reality has descended on the territories. They understand that if they don't fight Hamas, Hamas will finish [the PA] for good."
Weisglass and PA negotiator Saeb Erekat also are to discuss a final date for the summit meeting between Sharon and PA leader Mahmoud Abbas, tentatively set for Tuesday, one day before the Yom Kippur holiday begins.
A "good will" offer to free more Arab prisoners, in addition to the 900 already released, was confirmed by Justice Minister Tzipi Livni, who also heads the Committee on Prisoner Release. Finance Minister Ehud Olmert and Foreign Minister Silvan Shalom said on Thursday that any prisoner release will not include terrorists with "blood on their hands." Olmert added, "We can consider anything that can ease the lives of (Palestinians) and won‘t endanger Israel's security."
The summit is considered a showpiece for both Israel and the PA, whose chairman, Abbas, is scheduled to meet with US President George W. Bush on October 20th. Both leaders face elections next year and are anxious for an agreement that will impress the American government while putting at ease voters at home, noted the Washington Times.
Erekat said, "I don't think Israelis and Palestinians can afford a failed summit at this stage."
Participation of Hamas in the upcoming PA legislative elections also is likely to be discussed by Sharon and Abbas. The PA already has suggested postponing the scheduled January vote for a second time under the threat that Hamas and other terrorist groups will win a plurality of seats. Sharon has stated that Israel will hinder the electoral process if Hamas runs candidates without disarming.
"Israeli behavior needs to contribute to an atmosphere of hope," said Kadoura Fares, a Palestinian legislator who warned against Israeli intervention in the elections. "They don't need to embarrass the Palestinian Authority."
Gissin, spokesman for Sharon, remarked, "We are ready to provide Abu Mazen [Abbas] with gestures, but it requires Abu Mazen to help himself. A new reality has descended on the territories. They understand that if they don't fight Hamas, Hamas will finish [the PA] for good."