We learn today from the AFP that next week, during his trip to the Middle East, Barack Obama plans on visiting Ramallah to meet with Mahmoud Abbas, the president of the Palestinian Authority. Here is a question that would be appropriate for Obama to ask Abbas:

President Abbas, last week you cheered the release of Samir Kuntar, a man who murdered an Israeli family. You congratulated Hezbollah on its ability to extort the release of Kuntar by abducting Israelis, and your party, Fatah, organized celebrations across the West Bank. Your spokesmen and advisers likewise hailed the release of this child-killer as a great victory for the Palestinian cause. Given your behavior last week, why should the United States believe you when you say that Palestinians wish to live peacefully alongside Israel? Why should the United States continue giving your government money and diplomatic support when you have never passed up an opportunity to celebrate the murder, and the murderers, of Israelis?

Will Obama pose such questions? It’s almost unimaginable.