Operation "Smile and Hope" Begins in West Bank

(03 May 08 - RV)

US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice is heading to the Middle East today in the latest attempt to push for an Israeli-Palestinian peace agreement.

Rice will hold talks with Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.

Meanwhile, the Palestinian President security forces began deploying to the northern West Bank city of Jenin today for a law-and-order campaign meant to show the government is laying the ground for statehood.
The campaign has been dubbed "Operation Smile and Hope".
The forces, some of whom receive U.S.-funded training in Jordan, would target criminals and have orders to confiscate illegal weapons.

The spokesperson for Oxfam International in Jerusalem is Michael Robin Bailey. He spoke to us about his hopes for the future of the region…