Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon announced he was cutting all direct contact with new Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas unless the PA cracks down on terrorist groups as required by the U.S. backed 'Roadmap.'

The announcement comes one day after Palestinian terrorists killed six Israeli civilians in Israel near a crossing point with the Gaza Strip.

'Israel informed international leaders today that there will be no meetings with Abbas until he makes a real effort to stop the terror,' said a spokesman for Sharon.

One reason for the decision was that the attacks were launched from a Palestinian Authority base in Gaza.

Abbas had asked for militant groups like Hamas, Islamic Jihad and the al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigade to stop acts of terror against Israelis. Thus far, they have refused to do so and continue to undermine the peace efforts of their newly elected president.

Abbas fears a loss of legitimacy on the Palestinian street if he confronts and attempts to disarm groups bent on committing terrorist acts. However, if he fails to confront them, he risks the disfavor of the Israeli public and the United States both of whom favor the resumption of peace negotiations.

Abbas has not announced what his next move will be. He is first scheduled to be sworn in as Palestinian Authority president this weekend. It is clear he faces an uphill battle among his own people in the quest for peace.