PALIS REFUSE TO ACCEPT OLMERT'S SURRENDER OFFER

YESTERDAY, OLMERT OFFERED THE PALIS A STATE, RELEASE OF PRISONERS, AND RELEASE OF FUNDS. IN EXCHANGE, HE DEMANDED THAT THE PALIS CEASE VIOLENCE AND GIVE UP THE RIGHT TO OVERRUN ISRAEL WITH MILLIONS OF ARAB "REFUGEES."

Palestinians: Right of Return Is Sacred - Khaled Abu Toameh
The PA on Monday gave a lukewarm reaction to Prime Minister Olmert's offer to withdraw from large parts of the West Bank and return to the negotiating table, while Ghazi Hamad, spokesman for the Hamas-led government, said Olmert's demand that the Palestinians relinquish the right of return was a "conspiracy." Syria-based Musa Abu Marzouk, the No. 2 man in the Hamas leadership, said the right of return for the refugees is "sacred" for all Palestinians. (Jerusalem Post)

SEE: Get Real, Hamas - Editorial
Israeli Prime Minister Olmert on Monday unexpectedly extended an olive branch to the Palestinians. If the Palestinian Authority - including the Islamic party Hamas - doesn't respond in kind, it will be yet another golden opportunity for Mideast peace squandered. Olmert offered to engage Palestinians in new talks to create an independent Palestinian state.

It would be a tragedy, most of all for the Palestinians, if Olmert's initiative were rebuffed. Hamas is not being asked to approve of the creation of Israel half a century ago, only to recognize that the modern Jewish state is a legal government endorsed by the UN and deserving of security. It's not enough for Hamas to enter into a ten-year truce. Hamas' recognition should be a non-negotiable issue both for Israel and the U.S. (Los Angeles Times)