New summit between Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz and Palestinian President Abu Mazen.
This is the second meeting in a few months: while the first time, last August 30, the face-to-face took place in Ramallah in the West Bank, this time it was held at Gantz's home in Israel. According to what was announced by the ministry, at the center of the interview which lasted about 2 and a half hours there are issues related to security and other issues.
Gantz informed Abu Mazen of his intention to "continue to carry out confidence-building measures in civilian areas and the economy, as had been established in their first meeting". The minister then underlined that "the parties share an interest in deepening security coordination in order to maintain regional stability and prevent terrorism and violence".
The director of Cogat, the government body that coordinates activities in the Territories, also took part in the meeting on the Israeli side. On the Palestinian side, in addition to Abu Mazen, the director of security Majed Faraj and the adviser to the Palestinian president Hussein al Sheikh.
(Unioneonline / D)