The leaders of Egypt and Jordan mulled inviting Prime Minister Naftali Bennett to a summit meeting in Cairo, attended by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, according to a report in Asharq Al-Awsat newspaper published Wednesday.
According to Jordanian political source who spoke to the London-based Arabic daily, Abdel Fattah el-Sisi Egypt's President and King of Jordan Abdullah II reportedly wanted to stage the meeting to formulate a unified position on resumption of the peace process between Israel and the Palestinians.
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King of Jordan Abdullah II, Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Abdel Fattah el-Sisi Egypt's President
(Photo: AFP, Reuters, Getty Images)
The meeting appears to be a preparation for the leaders' appearance at the annual United Nations General Assembly in three weeks.
There were no reports, however, that Bennet received an official invite, and eventually he won't be participating in the meeting tomorrow.
The Prime Minister's Office denied the report and said that "there was no intention to hold a meeting between Bennett and Abbas and no such encounter is expected. However, President el-Sisi invited Bennett to a meeting in Egypt and they will meet soon." Bennett last week said the meeting is meant to "strengthen and expand the relations between the countries in the region."
The report came three days after it was revealed that Defense Minister Benny Gantz met with Abbas in Ramallah. The two discussed political, security, civil and economic issues. Gantz allegedly made it clear to Abbas that Israel is willing to take steps that will strengthen the Palestinian Authority's economy.
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King of Jordan Abdullah II, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Abdel Fattah el-Sisi Egypt's President
(Photo: AFP)
The daily also reported that Israel will authorize the PA to regulate the status of approximately 3,000 Palestinians who don't have Palestinian identity card after escaping from Gaza or those who live in illegal West Bank communities. Furthermore, Israel also approved plans for Palestinians to conduct construction in Area C, and will lend about half a billion shekels to the PA that set to be paid back in June 2022, with the exception of taxes collected by Israel for the PA.
At the same time, it was determined that Israel would also authorize an additional 15,000 Palestinian workers to be employed in Israeli territory and transfer the Palestinian businesses that work with Israel to a digital accounting system - in a way that will guarantee tax revenue to the PA of up to 10 million NIS per year.