WORLD
Israeli PM Ehud Olmert met Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on Saturday, a first step toward reviving long stalled peace negotiations.
JERUSALEM: Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert met Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on Saturday, a first step toward reviving long stalled peace negotiations.
Peace talks collapsed in 2000 just before the start of a Palestinian uprising and appeared all but dead when Hamas Islamists took power in March.
The meeting at the Israeli leader's residence in Jerusalem was the first formal talks between the two since Olmert replaced Ariel Sharon as prime minister in January when Sharon suffered a massive stroke.
Israel has been under pressure from the United States and the European Union to take steps to support Abbas since he called for early Palestinian elections, a move that Hamas has rejected as a "coup" and unconstitutional.
The talks started around 7.30 p.m. (1730 GMT). The two men were not expected to hold a news conference at the end of their meeting, but release a statement instead, officials said.
Officials had worked for months to prepare a meeting to move the stalled peace process forward.
"The issues on the table are the continuation of the ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, what is happening with the Palestinian Authority's (Hamas-led) government and the issue of Gilad Shalit," said Miri Eisin, a spokeswoman for Olmert.
Palestinian militants from Gaza abducted Shalit, an Israeli soldier, in a cross-border raid in June. His kidnapping prompted Israel to launch a months-long offensive in Gaza that largely ended with a shaky truce in late November.
Abbas and Olmert met informally on the sidelines of a conference in Jordan earlier this year.
Abbas's last formal meeting with an Israeli prime minister was in February 2005 when Sharon was leader. The moderate Palestinian leader's decision to call elections ratcheted up tensions in Gaza and the occupied West Bank between forces loyal to Hamas and Abbas's Fatah. At least 10 people have been killed in internal fighting in the last week.
Israel and the West cut off direct aid to the Palestinian Authority after Hamas beat Fatah in January elections. The sanctions were imposed because of Hamas's refusal to renounce violence, recognise the Jewish state and abide by past peace deals with it.
Fatah and Hamas have failed to reach an agreement on forging a national unity government, a move Palestinians had hoped would prompt the resumption of direct foreign aid.
Olmert had said that Abbas should not expect major concessions from Israel until Shalit was released.
But Nimer Hammad, a senior Abbas aide, said: "If there were no expected concrete results that would benefit the Palestinian people, the meeting would not have taken place."
It remains to be seen whether Israeli gestures will be substantial enough to boost Abbas, who favours a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Hamas seeks Israel's destruction.
A top priority for Abbas will be securing commitments from Olmert for the release of Palestinian prisoners held by Israel. Israel has made clear it would be willing to release prisoners, including some long-serving ones, but only if Shalit was freed. Egypt has sought to mediate a prisoner exchange.
Abbas was also expected to press Israel to release Palestinian tax revenues. Western diplomats said Olmert's office has been considering a partial transfer of funds to Abbas's office but Israeli officials said no decision has been made.
Senior Abbas aide Saeb Erekat said earlier this week that Israel would not transfer the money directly to Abbas, but would use it to pay Palestinian bills to Israeli utilities as it has in the past.
Western diplomats said Israel may opt to provide a portion of the tax money to Palestinian hospitals. Israel says it is withholding nearly $500 million in Palestinian tax revenues -- money that would normally be used by the Palestinian Authority to pay government workers.
Boxing legend Mike Tyson slaps YouTuber Jake Paul during final staredown, watch viral video
7 companies led by Mukesh Ambani, Nita Ambani's daughter Isha Ambani
Shahid Afridi's BIG appeal to BCCI amid Champions Trophy crisis, says. 'If countries once...'
Donald Trump picks anti-vaccine activist Robert F Kennedy Jr as US Health Secretary
Manipur violence: AFSPA reimposed in 6 police station areas including troubled Jiribam
Delhi Air Pollution: Delhi-NCR engulfed in thick smog, AQI in 'severe' category
Is Elon Musk buying McDonald's after Donald Trump's win? Here's what we know so far
Jake Paul vs Mike Tyson live streaming: When and where to watch much-anticipated fight
US takes immigration issue 'incredibly seriously': State Dept amid visa delays
Guru Nanak Jayanti 2024: Are banks closed or open today? Check state-wise list here
Beaver moon 2024 today: All you need to know about 2024's last supermoon
Anil Ambani's Reliance Infra posts Rs 4082 crore profit in 3 months, market cap climbs to Rs...
Meet Prerna Singh, daughter of autorickshaw driver, who cracked NEET-UG, her score was...
Meet woman, who cracked UPSC exam while doing full time job, secured AIR 3, now she is...
Viral video: Little girl wins heart with adorable dance to Janhvi Kapoor’s 'chuttamalle' song, watch
IND vs SA, 4th T20I Dream11 prediction: Fantasy cricket tips for India vs South Africa match
IND vs SA, 4th T20I: Predicted playing XIs, live streaming details, weather and pitch report
Delhi: All primary schools closed, classes shifted to online mode due to rising pollution levels
BIG trouble for Anil Ambani, criminal charges against his Rs 14422 crore company over...
Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 producer calls Singham Again team 'unfair' after the box office win
From Play to Pay, Gaming Is Big Business And A Genuine Professional Prospect
Leasehold vs Freehold: Exploring Options for Expats and Investors in Dubai
Mukesh Ambani's Reliance, Disney complete Rs 70352 crore media merger, to be headed by...
Badshah lands in legal trouble, case registered against rapper for...
GRAP III imposed in Delhi: What is allowed, what is banned amid 'severe' air quality
'Throwing me in deep end': Ricky Ponting takes fresh dig at Gautam Gambhir over Virat Kohli remarks
Revolutionizing Inventory Management in the Cloud Era: Pradeep Kumar’s Strategic Innovations
Delhi: AAP's Mahesh Khichi elected mayor as party defeats BJP in MCD polls
Delhi Air Pollution: GRAP 3 to be imposed in national capital from Nov 15, strict ban on...
WATCH: Inside Rinku Singh's Rs 3.5 crore luxurious house with rooftop bar, private pool
Renowned Yoga Guru Sharath Jois passes away at 53 after suffering heart attack
NASA alert! Giant 'God Of Chaos' asteroid set for close approach to Earth, may trigger astroquakes
UPPSC protest BIG update: RO-ARO exam postponed, PCS prelims to be held in one day
This man earned more money than Mukesh Ambani and world's richest man Elon Musk in one day, he is...
'World's best....': Japan vlogger's reaction to Bengaluru airport goes viral
Sania Mirza named Sports Ambassador of THIS city, not Delhi, Hyderabad, Jaipur
Shloka Mehta turns heads in sleek white gown at Tira store launch, see pics
Amid Abhishek Bachchan and Aishwarya Rai divorce rumours, Jaya Bachchan surprises everyone with...
IND vs SA: Arshdeep Singh goes past Bhuvneshwar Kumar to become Indian pacer with most....
Mukesh Ambani, Isha Ambani’s luxury retail chain opens new store at...
PM Modi to receive Dominica’s highest national award for...
Shraddha Kapoor says people with big foreheads are…
'Busy making...': Kanhaiya Kumar sparks row with remarks on Devendra Fadnavis' wife; BJP hits back
'Full baarati vibes': Vietnamese man's epic 'nagin dance' steals show at Mumbai event
Tilak Varma credits THIS player for his century against South Africa, says 'He gave me...'
UPSC IFS Mains Admit Card 2024 to be released today at upsc.gov.in, check direct link to download
'Be prepared for...': Rupali Ganguly's stepdaughter Esha Verma REACTS to Rs 50 crore defamation case
Saudi, Iran: Cautious dance toward détente?
Anushka Sharma shares glimpse of Children’s Day special dish for daughter Vamika, son Akaay
Jaw-dropping! Man wraps massive green anaconda around his shoulders, internet says...
Donald Trump plans to end Russia-Ukraine war with THIS move, is expected to 'soon' appoint...