BICOM

Israeli and Palestinian Authority officials are expected to meet in Amman today for the second time in a week to continue progress towards returning to direct peace negotiations. The officials are expected to discuss border and security issues. At the meeting today Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s personal envoy, Yitzhak Molcho will meet again with PA Chief negotiator Saeb Erekat. Unlike the meeting last Tuesday, this time representatives of the Quartet – the US, EU, Russia and UN – will not be in attendance.

This is the second meeting between Israeli and PA officials within a week. Following the last meeting Jordanian Foreign Minister Nasser Judeh told reporters that the talks hosted in Amman between representatives from Israel and the PA were held in a “positive atmosphere and reflected the seriousness of both sides to reach substantive results.” He added that the two sides had agreed to continue direct talks and that both parties showed commitment to adhering to the timeline proposed by the Quartet, which has set 2012 as a deadline for resolutions to all the final status issues.

Since the last meeting, the Palestinians have been downplaying the significance of the talk. PLO Secretary-General Yasser Abed Rabbo characterised the talks in Jordan as only “exploratory meetings” and not serious negotiations. Abed Rabbo added that if no progress were achieved by 26 January, the Palestinian Authority would resume its efforts to gain Palestinian membership in the UN.

Last autumn the Quartet gave Israelis and Palestinians three months to present comprehensive proposals on security and border issues. That deadline expires on 26 January.