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Netanyahu must treat Abbas as a genuine peace partner

It might be prudent for our political leaders to be generous to the PA regarding the improvement of the West Bank's social fabric and quality of life.

Haaretz's Barak Ravid reported Monday that the Israel Defense Forces' top officers are crafting a proposal to mitigate the damage to the Palestinian Authority's status caused by Hamas' success in freeing over 1,000 prisoners. In addition to the release of Fatah prisoners in the Shalit deal's second stage, the IDF recommends significant gestures that will allow PA President Mahmoud Abbas to present accomplishments to the Palestinian people. One proposal considers handing over empty lands to the PA (lands that remain under Israel's security authority under the Oslo Accords ). It also calls for the remains of several terrorists to be handed over to the PA.

In view of protracted disputes on settlement construction, and in the absence of diplomatic progress, it might be prudent for our political leaders to be generous to the PA regarding the improvement of the West Bank's social fabric and quality of life. With Quartet officials arriving in Jerusalem and Ramallah tomorrow, it might be logical for our decision makers to listen to the coordinator of activities in the territories, Maj. Gen. Eitan Dangot. Dangot warns that in view of the diplomatic impasse, Hamas' strengthened position after the Shalit deal and the expected failure in the UN Security Council vote, Abbas' resignation threat ought to be taken seriously.