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Israel hurts abbas image with direct support { January 20 2007 } Original Source Link: (May no longer be active)    http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/chi-0701200068jan20,1,151701.story?coll=chi-newsnationworld-hed http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/chi-0701200068jan20,1,151701.story?coll=chi-newsnationworld-hed Israel deals Abbas a boost before Hamas talks By Steve Weizman Associated Press January 20, 2007 JERUSALEM -- Israel said Friday that it had paid $100 million in frozen tax funds to the Palestinians and rescinded a contentious decision for a new West Bank settlement, strengthening the hand of moderate President Mahmoud Abbas ahead of crucial weekend talks in Damascus with his Hamas rivals. Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's office said the payment, the first such transfer since the Islamic Hamas won control of the Palestinian government in 2006, was made Thursday night. Defense Minister Amir Peretz, meanwhile, ordered plans for the Maskiot settlement frozen indefinitely "in order to look carefully at the implications," ministry officials said, speaking on condition of anonymity because of the issue's sensitivity. Israel drew international condemnation with its announcement last month that it had approved the construction of Maskiot to house those settlers removed from the Gaza Strip in Israel's 2005 pullout. It was the first new West Bank settlement officially approved since the early 1990s, when Israel promised to halt such construction as part of interim peace accords. Israel has been trying to boost Abbas in his struggle with Hamas, which rejects the existence of a Jewish state in an Islamic Middle East. However, such efforts can backfire, as Palestinians of all stripes try to distance themselves from the Israelis. In a development expected to further fan Arab anger, the 10-year-old daughter of a Palestinian peace activist, critically wounded by Israeli security forces during a demonstration earlier in the week, died in a Jerusalem hospital Friday. Abbas is to travel to Syria on Saturday for talks with Hamas chief Khaled Mashaal, with the object of forging a coalition government and ending a punishing international aid boycott. Talks have sputtered for months amid clashes between each side's loyalists, but the fact that the two leaders were meeting hinted that an agreement might finally be at hand. Copyright © 2007, Chicago Tribune

British hostage helps hamas credibility { July 4 2007 } British journalist alan johnston freed by hamas { July 4 2007 } Hamas disassociates from extremist islamic group { May 9 2007 } Hamas exploits british hostage situation { July 4 2007 } Hamas frees captive bbc journalist { July 3 2007 } Hamas offers amnesty on first day of gaza rule { June 15 2007 } Hamas shows muscle in bbc deal { July 5 2007 } Hamas uses mickey mouse for islamic teachings { May 8 2007 } Hamas will recognize israel when palestine state exists Israel hurts abbas image with direct support { January 20 2007 } Israel not serious about strengthening abbas { June 2007 } Israel says iran training hamas { March 6 2007 } Israel to free 250 palestinians but not Barghouti { June 2007 } Palestinian factions head up their rivalry { June 13 2007 } US says israel violated cluster bomb use { January 29 2007 } Violence grows between fatah hamas { May 17 2007 } West to restart direct aid to palestinians { June 18 2007 } Files Listed: 17

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