ABBAS STILL KNOWS HOW TO TALK THE TALK. 'Armed resistance' excluded from PA gov't platform for first time:

The Palestinian Authority government published its platform on Friday, which for the first time does not include a reference to armed struggle against Israel.

Nonetheless, the government stressed that it is committed to PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas' call for a "popular struggle against the Israeli occupation."

And of course Israel rushes right in with arms held wide open welcoming this groundbreaking move:

Israel welcomed on Friday remarks by ministers that Palestinian Prime Miniser Salam Fayad's government program, yet to be presented to parliament, does not feature a commitment to "armed resistance" - unlike those of its Hamas-led predecessors.

That's quite a deal that Abbas has--all he has to do is talk the talk, while Israel is the one expected to walk the walk.

Before popping open the champagne, let's see: has the Fatah Charter been changed? Remember, the one's with the Charter that still contains the goal for their peace partner:

Article (12) Complete liberation of Palestine, and eradication of Zionist economic, political, military and cultural existence.

Let him change that first. Then we can talk.

Technorati Tag: Israel and Abbas.