Gush Shalom sent telegrams to Palestinian President Mahmud Abbas (Abu Mazen) and to Prime Minister Isma’il Haniya, congratulating them for the formation of the Palestinian Unity Government: “The creation of a government representing all the main Palestinian factions, and which commits itself to respect previous agreements and to open negotiations with Israel, is an piece of good news – for Israelis as well as for Palestinians. This government could and should be Israel’s partner for negotiations and for peace.”

In a telegram sent to Prime Minister Olmert, Gush Shalom calls upon him to end his policy of futile refusal and start immediate negotiations with the new Palestinian government. “Your career is fast approaching its ignominious end. If you still want to save something from this debacle, Mr. Prime Minister, it is not enough to make pathetic speeches. If your reaction to the new Palestinian government is to launch a new military incursion and invasion into the heart of Nablus, then indeed your being Prime Minister is unnecessary and harmful. Precisely a year ago you got the voters' confidence, Mr. Olmert, on the strength of promising to act to end the occupation. When you do the precise opposite, your government has lost the last shred of justification for its continued existence.

Contact: Adam Keller, Gush Shalom Spokesperson, adam@gush-shalom.org