December 30, 2021–Although there are no peace talks in place between Israeli and Palestinian leaders, Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas met Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz in central Israel this week.
It’s significant in that it was the first time Abbas visited Israel in a decade. It also marks a sign of support by Israel for the weak Palestinian government. Abbas represents Palestinians in the occupied West Bank. His leadership is often overshadowed by the Palestinian leadership in Gaza, which is controlled by militant Hamas.
The year has seen rising tensions between Israelis and Palestinians, including a 22-day war between Israel and Hamas in May.
Meeting Outcomes
According to reporting by the Times of Israel, Gantz announced on Wednesday that Israel will offer the following to Palestinians:
- A loan of up to $32.2 million to the Palestinian Authority on tax revenue Israel collects on the PA’s behalf. (Israel advanced $160 million in August.)
- Legal status of identity cards for up to 9,500 undocumented Palestinians and foreigners living in the West Bank and Gaza.
- And permit passes for political and business leaders to travel through checkpoints.
It’s not clear how significant these steps are for peace among all the sides. The talks may help build up the relatively moderate PA against the more militant Hamas. Many foreign diplomats in the UN Security Council and the U.S. State Department are calling on the PA to hold elections–something it has not done since 2006.
U.S. National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan traveled to Israel and the West Bank, meeting with leaders on both sides.
