Israeli Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz will hold talks with Palestinian leaders next week, after his chief of staff said a harsh security clampdown on Palestinian areas was backfiring. It would be first such ministerial meeting between the two sides since Ahmed Qurei was nominated Palestinian prime minister last month and marks a more moderate Israeli stance which has raised a glimmer of hope for the troubled âroad mapâ peace plan.
| I wouldn't get any hopes up. |
Israeli political sources said the head of the Defense Ministryâs diplomatic and security branch, Amos Gilad, had exploratory talks with Palestinian Authority officials this week to pave the way for a meeting involving Mofaz next week. |