First time in ten years: a senior Israeli leader meets with Abbas
Israeli Defence Minister Benny Gantz met on Sunday night in Ramallah with Palestinian Authority (PA) Chairman Mahmoud Abbas and discussed “security-political, civilian and economic issues.”
Benny Gantz
This is the first time since 2010 that a senior Israeli official has met with Abbas.
According to the Ministry of Defense, Ganz told Abbas that Israel is “ready for a series of measures that will strengthen the Palestinian Authority’s economy.”
The two also discussed the “shaping of the security, civilian and economic reality in Judea and Samaria and Gaza.”
Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas
They “agreed to continue to keep in touch on the various issues in discussion.”
The meeting was attended by the commander of the IDF’s Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories, Maj. Gen. Rassan Aliyan, PA Minister of Civil Affairs Hussein a-Sheikh and head of the PA’s intelligence service Majd Faraj.
A-Sheikh tweeted after the meeting that they discussed “the Palestinian-Israeli relations on all aspects.”
At the end of the professional meeting, Ganz and Abbas held a private meeting.
Gantz has stated recently that he seeks to strengthen the PA while weakening Hamas in Gaza.
For diplomacy to work all parties have to meet and talk.