Olmert Gets To Walk In Abbas' Shoes

Remember when Abbas was invited to the White House, in a move which in part boosted his legitimacy?

Arutz Sheva reports:

Acting Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, who has replaced Ariel Sharon as the Kadima Party's prime ministerial candidate, is to visit Washington in February, just a month before Israel's national elections. Visits of this type invariably add to the invitee's stature in the perception of Israel's domestic public, and this will therefore help Olmert as the elections approach.

Remember how Secretary of State Rice praised Abbas

Arutz Sheva reports:

U.S. Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice issued a statement last night, commending Olmert on his apparent decision to permit eastern Jerusalem Arabs to participate in the PA elections later this month.

And remember all those times when Israel was encouraged to take measures to support Abbas?

Arutz Sheva reports:

In addition, the U.S. has informed the PA and Arab countries that Olmert's stature must be strengthened as the elections approach in order that he "continue the process that Sharon started." So reports the PA's Arabic-language Al-Manar newspaper.

No mention what measures the PA would take.

Maybe something commensurate with what Israel has done in the past to support Abbas? Maybe disarm some terrorist?
Perhaps he'll take steps to prevent Hamas from firing artillery into Israeli towns?

More likely, he'll just make a statement on looking forward to working towards peace with Olmert.

That sounds about right.


Crossposted at Israpundit

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