Mitchell (L) and Barak during previous meeting
Photo: Ariel Hermoni, Defense Ministry
Barak, US envoy Mitchell discuss peace process
'Excellent' Tel Aviv meeting focuses on expected resumption of Israel-Palestinian negotiations, VP Biden's visit to region
Defense Minister Ehud Barak met with US Mideast envoy George Mitchell in Tel Aviv Saturday night amid growing tensions in east Jerusalem and reports of the possible resumption of peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians.
The two discussed the indirect talks between Israel and the Palestinian Authority, which are expected to commence soon, as well as Vice President Joe Biden's visit to the region, scheduled to begin on Monday.
Barak's office said the meeting was "excellent".
Earlier this week the Arab League endorsed indirect Israeli-Palestinian negotiations for a four-month period, while Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that the "conditions are ripe" for renewing peace negotiations with the Palestinians.
The PM welcomed Biden's expected arrival, saying he hoped it would help move the peace process forward.
"I'm glad that we have made progress and things have matured," Netanyahu said at the start of the weekly cabinet meeting on Monday.
"Our goal is direct talks, but we have always said that we won't insist on the format. We said that this government wants a peace process, and I would like to add that it also wants to complete it," he said.
