Bethlehem – Ma‘an – On Tuesday Israeli Prime Minister, Ehud Olmert, who is currently in Washington, is to urge President Bush to adopt a new policy towards the Palestinians, based upon the "political and geographical separation between the West Bank and Gaza Strip."
Olmert is to say that the US and Israel should bolster support for Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and increasingly isolate deposed Prime Minister, Ismail Haniyeh.
Israeli sources reported that financial support will flow solely to Abbas.
Olmert announced a few days ago in the states that there is a chance that a Palestinian state could be established, under Abbas leadership. However, he said that its establishment had certain conditions.
Olmert also said that he is reconsidering the ease of movement for Palestinians in the West Bank. He said during a conference for the world‘s largest organisations in New York that he is ready to hold consultations with Abbas in order to solve the daily problems facing Palestinians in the West Bank.
Sources close to Olmert said that he told American officials that Abbas must exert efforts to decrease Hamas‘ power if he wants the support of Israel. Israeli daily Haaretz said that Israel will be patient and is apprehensive to rush in to wide-scale talks with Abbas‘ new government.