Updated 01/14/05 20:55 Israel time
Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon cut all contact with the newly elected Palestinian leader Friday, officials said, promising the silence would continue until Mahmoud Abbas moves to halt militant attacks. But a day after Palestinians killed six Israeli civilians in a a bombing-and-shooting attack at a Gaza cargo crossing, Abbas signaled that he will stick to persuasion in trying to rein in the armed groups. Saeb Erekat called on Israel to rethink the decision.
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