Mahmoud Abbas was elected chairman of the Palestinian National Authority Sunday and one day later Israeli Knesset (parliament) approved the creation of a new coalition government, including the pro-pullout Labor party. Both are positive signs indicating the long-stalled Mideast peace process is finally to take a turn for the better. However, analysts caution there are both opportunities and challenges ahead to revive the moribund roadmap peace plan.

An editorial in Israeli newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth said following Abbas' election, it will be more difficult for both Abbas and Israel to play the "you first" game.

There will be no justification for both sides to evade the irresponsibility, and there will no longer be someone else to blame for the failure.

Abbas is considered a pragmatic politician among the Palestinian leadership.

Israeli Vice Prime Minister Shimon Peres, who was just sworn in Monday night, termed him as "a wise man, experienced and moderate".

Abbas' win, coupled with the death of Yasser Arafat in November, makes Israel's excuse of having "no peace talk partner" on the Palestinian side virtually become baseless.

The international community, including the United States and the European Union, has spearheaded mediation efforts to help jumpstart the Israeli-Palestinian peace talks.

Since Abbas is elected to take the helm of the Palestinian leadership, a Palestinian gain is not necessarily an Israeli loss, or vice versa.

Abbas himself is keen on resuming peace talks with Israel. In his election campaign, he termed Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon as a partner, a gesture welcomed by Israel. On Israel's side, Sharon's office said the prime minister is ready to meet Abbas and hope that he could be a bridge between the two sides.

To many Israelis, Abbas is an "ideal" Palestinian leader, however, the issues such as territory, refugees' right of return and the status of Jerusalem still present as obstacles in future peace negotiations.

Some analysts say Abbas's biggest challenge is to rein in militants, some of whom are bent on the destruction of Israel. Sharon has warned if militant attacks against Israel continue, Israel's response will be sharper than ever.

However, analysts believe Israel would rather adopt a wait-and-see attitude than take any sharp steps after Abbas' election. Abraham Diskin, a professor from Israeli Hebrew University, said the victory of Abbas is comparatively favorable to Israel, because Abbas' political agenda is to stop the Israeli occupation through negotiations and improve the economic and security situation of the Palestinians.

All these will be taken into consideration by Israel, the professor said.

Source: Xinhua