Release will prompt talks, says Peres

ISRAEL will invite Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to resume stalled peace talks after Palestinian militants release a captured Israeli soldier, Vice Premier Shimon Peres said yesterday.

Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said earlier this week that Israel needed to talk with the Palestinians.

Gunmen linked to the Hamas group that rules the Palestinian Authority captured Corporal Gilad Shalit on June 25 in a cross-border raid. Recent reports in the Arab press said a prisoner exchange was imminent, but Israel has not confirmed this. There have been no reports on the condition of the soldier since his capture.

Once Cpl Shalit is freed, Mr Olmert will invite Mr Abbas, a moderate from the Fatah Party, to talks based on the internationally backed “road map” peace plan, Mr Peres said.

“The moment this matter is solved... this is what will happen,” he added.

Israel is boycotting the Palestinian cabinet because it is led by Hamas, which is sworn to Israel’s destruction. Abbas is from the moderate Fatah Party, a Hamas rival.

The policy has also seen Israel decide to shun Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams during his first trip to the Holy Land because of plans to meet with members of the Hamas militant group.

Mr Adams started a two-day visit to Israel and the Palestinian territories yesterday.

The Sinn Féin president said earlier this week he hoped his visit would encourage compromise between Israel and Hamas.