Israeli Defense Minister Hold First High-level Talks with Palestine

Israel's defense minister held talks with the Palestinian president in the first high-level meeting between the two sides in years. The meeting between Benny Gantz and Mahmoud Abbas signaled a possible shift of direction after the complete breakdown of communication between Abbas and Israeli leaders in recent years. This communication gap came primarily under the leadership of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Backed by former U.S. President Donald Trump, Netanyahu pursued a hard-line policy toward the Palestinians. During their actions, he approved pro-Israeli policies such as moving the U.S. Embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to contested Jerusalem. Abbas halted most contacts with the U.S. and Israel during those years after seeing the cold in communication.

A White House issued a statement saying Biden reiterated to Bennett his support for a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and underscored the importance of steps to improve the lives of Palestinians. Bennett did not mention Palestinians in public remarks at the White House that focused largely on arch-enemy Iran’s nuclear program.

In a sign of friction over Palestinian statehood from within the coalition, Mossi Raz, a legislator from Israel’s Meretz party, asserted by saying that the dismissal of prospects for renewed peace talks by the Bennett source was outrageous.

Although, the statement from Gantz’s office made no mention of peacemaking, saying only that he and Abbas discussed the security and economic situation in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip. And nothing about the future actions that promise continued and long commitments on mutual and joint projects.