The past week and a half has brought a series of small, albeit significant, steps toward a stable peace between the Israelis and the Palestinians.
On Feb. 7, Israeli and Palestinian leaders confirmed they would declare, during a summit beginning the next day in Sharm el Sheik, Egypt, an end to years of bloody and destructive fighting. The New York Times reported Monday that Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas said he has talked with radical groups Hamas and Islamic Jihad regarding a truce formulated at the summit in Egypt. Showing some progress, Hamas promised not to immediately retaliate for any Israeli violence while it
weighs whether to join a Palestinian
cease-fire with Israel.
On Sunday, in what is being heralded as a tremendous gesture, the Israeli government approved the release of some
500 Palestinian prisoners within the week. (The Palestinian Authority has reported that Israel holds more than 7,600 Palestinian prisoners.) We cautiously hope these actions mark a real turning point in transforming a war of hatred and heated ideologue into dialogue.
Peace between these two groups is obviously hampered by the demonization that has followed decades of war. The Palestinian and Israeli people must learn to see neighbors where they once saw enemies, and this will take time and encouragement. Abbas and Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon have taken the first steps toward moderation, and both must look past the often loud and influential voices of religious fundamentalists. Abbas told the Times that he is optimistic about the supportive response he has received from militants concerning the peace process —
it is progress Abbas has rightfully
boasted about.
The Bush administration must realize that the Middle East deserves some autonomy in this matter. Both sides have accepted invitations to meet separately with President Bush, and Abbas has recently encouraged the promised American economic aid, but the United States must refrain from tending to this process with a heavy hand. We commend Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice for her somewhat introductory visit to the region, but we caution against a hard-line Bush proposal for a provisional democratic Palestinian state at this time. Even Abbas has said he would reject such a short-term solution, saying Palestinians would be hesitant to accept a plan that might be seen as a replacement for a final settlement.
A successful peace process is a tall order for any leader to fill, let alone attempt, as Abbas has tried to do since he was elected president of the Palestinian Authority a little more than a month ago. Whatever the outcome, we commend the quick and substantial progress.

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