GAZA, Nov 22, 2005 (Xinhua via COMTEX)
-- Senior Palestinian officials expressed hope with caution on Tuesday
for new peace momentum following Israeli political realignment.
On Monday, Israeli Prime Minister Ariel
Sharon formally asked President Moshe Katsav to dissolve parliament, the
first step for a snap election. Sharon later officially quit the ruling
center- right Likud party and announced his intention to set up a new centrist
party.
Nabil Abu Rudeineh, spokesman of the Palestinian National Authority (PNA), said on Tuesday that the PNA hoped that Israel, headed by a new government, will really seek peace.
Chief Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat also said the Palestinians hoped to have a partner in Israel that desires to end the decades-long Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
He described what is going on in Israel as "an eruption of a political volcano of such significance that I've never seen before."
In addition, Palestinian Information Minister Nabil Shaath was also optimistic about the peace process, saying there was an opportunity for reviving long-stalled negotiations.
However, the Palestinian leadership were cautious in casting hope, asserting that the Palestinians will not interfere with Israel's internal affairs.
Peace talks foundered in 2000 when the Palestinian Intifada, or uprising against the Israeli occupation, broke out.