It seem from this article that ever since he has become “President” of Palestine, Mahmoud Abbas has been negotiating with different armed terrorist groups (Hamas, Islamic Jihad and the Al Aqsa Martyrs’ Brigades), trying to negotiate a truce, and it seems like he is making good progress. What I’ve heard of him so far I like. He is not as bad a man as Arafat, and it looks like he is really interested in what is best for Palestinians, and for the whole of the Middle East.

Also, According to this interesting article from The Globe and Mail, it seems like Isreal’s PM Ariel Sharon finally has hope for something good also:

On the Israeli side, Prime Minister Ariel Sharon was responding positively to Palestinian moves for the first time, reflecting some confidence in Mr. Abbas, in stark contrast to Israel’s attitude toward Mr. Arafat.