Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas telephoned Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu on Sunday morning and wished him a happy Passover.
The telephone conversation was the first between the two since Netanyahu entered office as prime minister.
Sources in Jerusalem said that the initiative by the PA president is testimony to his readiness to hold talks with Netanyahu despite relatively bellicose statements coming from Ramallah soon after the establishment of Netanyahu's government.
Ties between the Palestinian Authority and Israel atrophied in the wake of Operation Cast Lead, the IDF's campaign in the Gaza Strip at the beginning of the year.
Former prime minister Ehud Olmert, who made great efforts to close a deal with the PA before he left office, accused the PA of failing to reach an agreement. In the penultimate cabinet meeting over which he presided, Olmert said the Palestinian leadership lacked the courage to make the final steps towards peace. source
Just loved that last statement there by Olmert: "The Palestinian leadership lacked the courage to make the final steps towards peace." Translation: Palestinians refused to give everything away to Israel.
