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GUEST: Uri Avnery, Founder of Gush Shalom (Israeli Peace Bloc), and a former member of the Knesset

US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice may meet with ministers of the new Hamas-led Palestinian “unity” government when she arrives in Israel and the Occupied Territories next week. The move will be in accordance with policy guidelines set by the State Department, which differ from Israel’s approach. Israel has refused to deal with any ministers in the new government, even those who are part of Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas’ Fatah faction. Late last year, a conflict between the two main factions of the Palestinian government, Fatah and Hamas, turned violent. The conflict just ended with the formation of a Unity government. Well known peace activist, Mustafa Barghouti was named the Minister of Information in the unity government.