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Israel, Palestinians Gird for Talks
by Richard Boudreaux
 Secretary of State Rice will return to the region next month for three-way talks with Israeli Prime Minister Olmert and PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas. Olmert's aides said he views the encounter as part of a "pre-negotiation stage" in which the two sides build trust through initial steps, such as Israel's easing of cargo restrictions, a halt to Palestinian rocket attacks, and an exchange of prisoners. "We're still at the early stages of building the confidence necessary to open peace negotiations," said Miri Eisin, the prime minister's spokeswoman. "We're not there yet, and we're not going to be cutting corners." (Los Angeles Times)
See also Rice: Roadmap Needs To Be Fulfilled (U.S. State Department)
House Resolution Calls for Ahmadinejad Genocide Charges
 A bipartisan slate of lawmakers in the U.S. House of Representatives proposed a resolution calling on the Iranian president to face genocide incitement charges. The non-binding resolution brought last week to the House’s Foreign Affairs Committee says statements by President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad calling for the destruction of Israel amount to crimes according to the 1948 Convention on Genocide. The convention not only provides for punishment for genocide, two congressmen wrote in a letter to their colleagues, but “also prohibits ´direct and public incitement to commit genocide.´" (JTA News)
Palestinian Parliament Shuts Down
by Karin Laub
Last week's session of the Palestinian parliament was to have been the first in four months. It was canceled because a dozen Hamas legislators preferred to go on a trip to Indonesia instead, and the deputy speaker believed he wouldn't get a quorum. The extended break has largely gone unnoticed by a jaded public. "The public doesn't feel the absence of the legislative council because...it didn't do its job," said political scientist Ali Jerbawi. The legislature hasn't passed any laws since Hamas' election a year ago. (Washington Post)
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Target of War Probe, Israeli General Quits
 The chief of Israel's armed forces tendered his resignation after internal investigations pointed to his responsibility for the setbacks of last year's Lebanon war. Lieutenant-General Dan Halutz, 58, told Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and Defense Minister Amir Peretz that he was quitting "as the investigations have run their course." "With the echoes of battle having faded, I have decided to act on my responsibility," Halutz said in his resignation letter. (Reuters/Boston Globe)
Lantos Talks of "Respectable" Anti-Semitism at Farewell Dinner for Ayalon
by Hilary Leila Krieger
 Rep. Tom Lantos spoke at a gala dinner farewell for former Israeli ambassador to the U.S. Danny Ayalon, sponsored by Christian groups in association with Jewish organizations. Lantos described attempts "to make anti-Semitism acceptable in this country" as well as to "deligitimize Israel." Earlier he said that anti-Semitism in America was "becoming increasingly more acceptable" as seen in statements in the political arena, on college campuses and sometimes "just on the street." (Jerusalem Post)
Israel Gives Abbas $100 Million
by Ronny Sofer
 $100 million in Palestinian tax funds withheld by Israel since the Hamas government came to power one year ago were transferred Friday to Mahmoud Abbas according to agreements reached by Abbas and Prime Minister Olmert during their meeting a few weeks ago. The prime minister's office clarified that the money would only be transferred after the Palestinians guarantee a system that would prevent the money from reaching the Hamas government. According to the plan, the money is to be used to strengthen Abbas' presidential guard and to fund humanitarian needs. (Ynet News)
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