Mofaz had a busy week
צילום: אחיה ראב"ד
Dahlan, Mofaz meeting ‘positive’
Defense minister, Palestinian minister meet in Tel Aviv; two figures discuss humanitarian issues
TEL AVIV - Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz met with Palestinian Minister for Civilian Affairs Mohammed Dahlan in Tel Aviv Friday, in a session characterized as “positive” by Israeli sources.
The meeting, which lasted for about three hours, marks the second meeting between Mofaz and a Palestinian minister this week, after he met PA Interior Minister Nasser Yousef earlier in the week.
During Friday’s session, Mofaz and Dahlan discussed mainly humanitarian issues related to contacts between Israel and the PA ahead of the upcoming Gaza Strip and northern West Bank pullout.
Ministers to meet again
One of the issues raised in the meeting was the question of crossings between Israel and the PA. Israel has invested large amounts of money in the crossing and the two ministers agreed to cooperate in a bid to elicit additional international financial support.
Other issues discussed included the transfer of humanitarian goods to the PA during the pullout, work permits for Palestinians, and Israeli policy on Palestinian passage to Egypt.
The two figures are expected to meet again soon to continue coordination efforts ahead of the disengagement. Meanwhile, Mofaz phoned Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas following the session and briefed him on his meetings with both Dahlan and Yousef.
