Those Failing To Learn From History . . . .

Yesterday, it appeared that Israel found a James "F*&k the Jews" Baker - special order - American-made knife in her back.

Today, questions arise whether Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert is trying to play on both sides of the street.

Israel Negotiates With Hamas in Tel Aviv
(IsraelNN.com) Sources described as "reliable" have been quoted by the Palestinian Authority news agency Quds Press saying a Hamas official made a secret trip to Tel Aviv last week to discuss the border crossings into Gaza. The reports say that just over a week ago, Abd al-Salah, who oversees economic affairs in the office of Hamas Authority prime minister Ismail Haniyeh, came secretly to Tel Aviv to meet with economic officials.

Al-Salah arrived with a proposal to transfer control of the Gaza crossings to private Palestinian Authority hands, under European supervision. He also raised the issue of the economic dependence of Gaza upon Israel.

Private Palestinian hands. Kind of like the private treasury that Yasser Arafart established?

The sources emphasized that the meeting was approved by both Israel and Hamas. Israel has said that it would not negotiate with or recognize Hamas, which calls for the destruction of all of Israel and its total replacement by an Arab state. Hamas, on the other hand, never ruled out talks with Israel on day-to-day issues in order to promote Hamas interests.

Such as continued perpetual victimhood, an unlimited supply of arms and armaments from Iran, via Syria; and maybe a seat at the UN for good measure?

In other Hamas news, Russia and Hamas appear to disagree regarding their diplomatic relations. Russia's Deputy Foreign Minister said on Tuesday that his country would reduce the level of its contacts with Hamas. On Wednesday, however, a Hamas parliament member said that exiled Hamas chief Khaled Mashaal, and other Hamas officials, have been invited to Moscow for an official visit.

Having lost the respect of New Europe, Soviet Russian president Vladimir Paranoid needs to find some friends somewhere. That he may be cultivating friends with the descendants of those who fellated the Austrian corporal is apparently of little, or no, importance.

Meanwhile, visiting U.S. Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice is about to begin her meetings with Israeli and Palestinian Authority officials. Following her meeting in Sharm el-Sheikh with Gulf state leaders, she said that Hamas must get used to the idea of "two states," i.e., a PA state alongside Israel.

And that was said from which side of her mouth?

It was originally reported that Secretary Rice feels such a PA state can be formed even before Fatah and Hamas reunite. However, what she in fact said was, "We hope that at some point in time, when the two-state solution arrives, it will be a uniting force for all the Palestinians who want a state, and it will be a point of time at which people will have to choose if they are out of that consensus."

And what choice have they already made in Gaza, dear?

Meanwhile, Olmert, Hero of the Israel-Hamas War, is scurrying about in an attempt to establish his credentials as an intrepid leader.

Olmert to Rice: "Keep Hamas out of the game"
Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert told U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice on Wednesday that Hamas Islamists had to be "kept out of the game" while Israel explores new cooperation with the Palestinians.

Pssst, Olmert! New cooperation is going to give you the same results as the old cooperation did.

At their first meeting since Hamas seized control in Gaza, Olmert discussed with Rice the possibility of handing over some security control in the occupied West Bank to President Mahmoud Abbas's forces and said this could only happen "after proper security guarantees" were given, an Israeli spokesman said.

Just like the guarantees given in exchange for the various Land For Peace More War initiatives?

It's madness. Sheer madness.