Israel, like so many countries, often finds itself fighting the "last war." With Hamas in control of Gaza, Israel is now reaching out a hand in reconciliation to Mahmoud Abbas and his Fatah government. For a number of years now, Israeli centrists have warned that unless Israel make the kinds of gestures necessary to strengthen Abbas' hand, the ascension of the Islamists would be inevitable. Instead, Prime Minister Ehud Olmert seemed swayed by the mantra that "there is no one to talk to." And in recent days of soul-searching, many Israeli leaders are acknowledging that an imperfect Fatah was perhaps as good as they were ever going to get.

Now there are two Palestinian entities, one that refuses to recognize Israel, and another that represents one more stab at achieving a modus vivendi between Israelis and Palestinians, at least those living in the West Bank. Israel now has the opportunity — if not golden then certainly less tarnished than it once appeared — to demonstrate to Abbas and his followers that the path to reconciliation is more desirable than the one leading to the bloody vision of Hamas. This means making the sort of gestures necessary to strengthen Abbas' fragile rule, and provide real material and symbolic gains for Palestinians on the ground — without sacrificing Israel's security, of course. These measures include transferring all funds owed to the Palestinian Authority and easing the checkpoint regime within the West Bank. These measures should pave the way for real negotiations. The goal would not be a final settlement, but an agreement that would strike the balance between Palestinian autonomy and Israeli security.

Looking to the East, Israel should make its message clear: violence will be met with violence, conciliation with conciliation. The choice belongs to Hamas.

Israel can expect a fierce internal struggle. On one side will be the majority of its citizens who, while wary, nonetheless want to see Israel relinquish its control of the lives of Palestinians, so that Israel can fulfill its Jewish and democratic destiny. On the other will be those who continue to insist that "there is nobody to talk to" and, in doing so, turn a mantra into a self-fulfilling prophecy.

It wasn't unusual in recent years to hear American Jews declare that the Palestinians "need their own civil war." Well, they just had one. Now it is our turn to support Israel as it makes the difficult decisions about what to do in the aftermath of that internecine battle.