Israel, PA set to resume talks under Jordan mediation

Netanyahu's envoy Molcho set to meet chief Palestinian negotiator Erekat in Amman within 48 hours

Attila Somfalvi|Published: 01.01.12 , 14:07

Advanced negotiations with Jordanian mediation have been launched ahead of a direct meeting between Israeli and Palestinian representatives, Ynet reported Sunday.

Jordanian Foreign Minister Nasser Judeh is overseeing the talks, which Israel fears will be thwarted by the Palestinians at the last minute.

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Sources privy to the details said the meeting between the Israeli negotiator, Attorney Yitzhak Molcho, and his Palestinian counterpart Saeb Erekat is scheduled to take place in Amman within the next 48 hours under the auspices of the Hashemite Kingdom and the Mideast peace Quartet (United States, Russia, European Union and the United Nations).

During King Abdullah's recent visit to Ramallah, the Jordanian delegation applied pressure on the Palestinian leadership with the aim of jumpstarting the stalled peace process.

The Palestinians have refused to engage in direct talks with Israel, claiming the Jewish state has not lived up to its obligations as specified by the US-backed Roadmap for peace plan – particularly with regards to settlement construction in the West Bank.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, on the other hand, has stated that he would be willing to meet Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas "anywhere" and without preconditions.

The Palestinians refused to meet with Molcho directly during recent regional meetings set up by the Quartet.

Israeli officials said that while they do not expect the meeting to yield significant results, the fact that it is taking place is important within itself.