Green Peace

An Israeli billionaire may have found a shortcut on the road map to peace.  It's a road lined with shekels.

An Israeli businessman has offered $1 billion dollars to Palestinian Prime Minister Ismail Haniye if he reaches a peace agreement with his Israeli counterpart.

Billionaire Israeli businessman Avi Shaked, whose great fortune came from running internet gambling sites, told the Reuters news agency that he wanted the killing to stop.

“My offer is to both leaders: please sit down, start negotiations and try to reach an agreement.”

The Internet tycoon said that he was ready to hand over the money through a consortium of international financiers he has lined up if a deal was made.

He emphasized that an initial installment of $100 million would be made the moment Ismail Haniye, the Hamas leader who is the prime minister of Palestine, and Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert sat down and started the negotiations.

A supporter of Israel’s Labor Party, Shaked remarked that his offer could create a million job opportunities in the most impoverished parts of Palestine.

Palestinian Prime Minister Ismail Haniye was reported to have rejected the offer on Tuesday.

I say give the man the Peace Nobel, at least for the altruistic and innovative attempt.  It'd be a better pick than some.  Plus, he's a self-described socialist, which ought to allure the prize committee.