By Jason Ward Boyte

Due in large part of Richard Gere’s urging on behalf of all the American people who were not able to make it down there in the post-holiday shuffle (oh, how it is a bear this time of year), Palestinians came out in droves and voted in Abbas for president, and as Yassar Arafat’s replacement.

What does this mean? Well, not too sure. He vowed today to get back on the roadmap to peace, saying specifically that it meant reigning in Palestinian violence. Hamas is less enthused, but said they are willing to adjust their tactics if Israel stops conducting raids.

Shall we cross our fingers?