During recent weeks, it appears as though the Israeli-Palestinian peace process is waking up gradually from a six-year freeze.

With the United States and Saudi Arabia's encouragement, Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas have begun continuous talks. The Arab League will send the first delegation for talks with Israel about the Arab peace initiative, ratified during the Riyadh summit.

The operation of the border passages to the Gaza Strip and the agreement Abbas reached with Islamic Jihad to suspend Qassam rocket fire are also a step in the right direction.

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Olmert yesterday signaled his desire to take part in a regional conference, attended by Saudi Arabia and the members of the International Quartet on the Middle East peace process. He hopes the conference will provide sponsorship and backing for his talks with Abbas and put Israel on a joint front with the moderate Arab states against the Iranian threat.

Olmert promised author Amos Oz and other left-wing figures he has talked with that he seriously intends to move toward final status arrangements, Yossi Verter reported in Haaretz yesterday.

Olmert has a clear political interest in presenting a peace agenda, which would weaken the expected calls for his resignation following the release of the Winograd report on the Second Lebanon War. His talks with Abbas are not arousing public interest and enthusiasm. But a joint photograph with a senior Saudi representative, something none of his predecessors has achieved, would symbolize the peace process' renewed momentum, and Olmert would gain public opinion points.

Olmert's desire to remain in power should not disqualify his political initiative. Ariel Sharon decided to pull out of the Gaza Strip as a remedy for political distress, and the result of evacuating the settlers was a worthy one, regardless of its motives. This is how we must judge Olmert too, if he moves the peace process forward, leading to the establishment of a Palestinian state.

But to do so, Olmert must lead the process, not look as though he were trailing behind outside initiatives. His ostentatious hesitations regarding talks about the final status arrangement and his readiness to discuss only limited issues indicate that he his having difficulty deciding, or is afraid of undermining his coalition with Avigdor Lieberman. But the time for making a decision is approaching and the present attempt to revive the peace process must not be wasted on a photo opportunity and empty talks.

Syrian President Bashar Assad's war threats are a reminder of the dangers in store for Israel if the political freeze continues. Syria is a partner to the Arab peace initiative and supported the Riyadh agreement. Now it must wait its turn and not act to undermine stability.

Olmert has issued calming statements to the effect that Israel does not intend to attack Syria. But this is not enough. In his expected talks with representatives of the Arab League, he must make it clear to them that Israel does not intend to remain in the Golan Heights forever and that Syria will be part of the peace process in the future.