"So much time and so many lives have gone down the drain on futilities. On 'yes-partner no-partner,' and 'yes-weak not-weak.' ... It is possible to reach an agreement within a reasonable amount of time on the basis of the Arab initiative," Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayad told Haaretz in an interview published yesterday.

Fayad stressed that the right of return would not be an obstacle to an agreement and would be resolved by mutual consent. These reasonable statements, which are in line with the Israeli position, have been met with the skepticism and despair of those who previously got their hopes up, only to be disappointed later. That despair plays into the hands of those seeking an excuse not to withdraw from the territories.

The State of Israel cannot allow itself to yawn at U.S. President George W. Bush's speech calling for an international peace conference in September. It cannot allow itself to give up on any chance to resolve the conflict with the Palestinians, after the entire world and a large majority of the Israeli public have recognized the need to withdraw from the West Bank and end the occupation. The Qassam rocket fire from the Gaza Strip is not proof that withdrawals from the territories are not worthwhile for Israel, because the Gush Katif settlements were not a line of defense for the communities of southern Israel.

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The only two groups that never show any despair are Hamas and the settlers. Hamas demonstrates its power by firing Qassams, while the settlers show their power by expanding the settlements - that destructive enterprise that sabotages every logical plan to divide the land between the two nations.

The encouraging signs from the Palestinian Authority - like Fayad's appointment as prime minister and the attempt to build a proper government rather than a violent one in the West Bank - may be the beginning of a new positive process. Positive like the constructive talks between the Israeli and Palestinian governments, which led to the release of prisoners and transfer of funds, and despite the fanatic antagonism and violence in Gaza.

Tony Blair's appointment as Quartet envoy in the region, and the blessing from the United Nations that the appointment received, are another step that should not be taken lightly, indicating the importance the entire international community attributes to the combustible local conflict.

Instead of goading Bush over Iraq, scorning Abbas and minimizing the value of the new Palestinian government, Israel must do the minimum required of it. Removing outposts is not a gesture to the Palestinians, but to ourselves, and the same holds for every reduction of settlers beyond the West Bank separation fence, which was built precisely for that purpose. Perhaps appointing Haim Ramon to the position of outpost remover will finally lead to the implementation of such a process, and the very removal of the outposts will prove that an Israeli government has the power to evacuate settlements in the future.

Whoever wants the West Bank to serve as a model for Gaza, and possibly to encourage the Palestinians to choose the option of recognizing Israel and cooperating with it, must make every effort to improve the lives of the Palestinians in the West Bank. The government can also reduce the amount of roadblocks to the minimum necessary and prove that ending the violence pays off for the Palestinians and improves their lives.