Filling the Vacuum

Amazing things are happening in Israel.

JERUSALEM — Increasing the United States' involvement in the Middle East peace process, President Bush has invited Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas (search) and Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon (search) to separate meetings in the United States, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice announced Monday.

Rice finished two days of meetings in Israel and the West Bank with an announcement both side have accepted the invitation.

She also said the United States' partners in a coalition to promote Middle East peace would soon hold a meeting that would be the first since the death of Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat (search) gave new life to peace hopes between Israel and the Palestinians.

Bush may attend that meeting as well, Rice said. It was not clear when that meeting might happen.

Bush's Abbas invitation represents a significant shift from the U.S. position in recent years when he viewed Arafat as a major impediment to peace. The Bush administration refused to deal directly with Arafat and peace negotiations stalled.

Rice also said Lt. Gen. William E. Ward (search) was named a new Palestinian "security coordinator" and would make his first trip to the region with the next two weeks.

"The Palestinians will be the first to tell you that they need help," training, equipping and unifying their security forces, Rice said.

She said Ward will have direct line to her.

In a visit to the West Bank on Monday Rice also said the United States will provide more than $40 million in aid to the Palestinians during the next three months.

Outstanding. Absolutely outstanding. This would have happened a lot earlier if Yasser Arafat (rotting terrorist) had gotten onboard.