Monday, April 02, 2007

smoke signals?


Photo of Jewish passover rites, from Associated Press, shows some Orthodox families burning bread in Jerusalem before 11 am.

In the midst of this Passover holiday, which celebrates the Jews' return from the wilderness, there are decidedly mixed signals from Israel's leader, who rated a dismal three per cent approval rating in one recent poll.
Prime Minister Ehud Olmert has called on King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia and other Arab heads of state to talk peace inside Israel--what they consider the belly of the beast--and he suggests that peace can come to the region within five years. Some analysts think that the shifting situation with Iran may be behind this diplomatic step.

Many hawkish Israelis are appalled by this notion, and consider it a sellout to even consider revival of the 2002 Saudi peace plan. Arab analysts shrug it aside as empty talk from a weak leader, and doubt that anyone would show up.
According to the BBC, a regional meeting is likelier to take place outside of Israel.

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