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Olmert, Abbas Talk on Palestinian Soil

Jericho get-together signals progress in stalled peace process

By Jonas Oransky, Newser Staff

Posted Aug 6, 2007 5:11 PM CDT

(Newser) – Ehud Olmert and Mahmoud Abbas met in the West Bank city of Jericho today, the first time an Israeli head of state has been to the Palestinian territories in 7 years. The meeting was an attempt by both parties to bolster the moderate Fatah party’s standing and to bring momentum to the two-state peace process, the Times reports.

The leaders spent half of the 3-hour meeting speaking in private; Olmert said they talked “fundamental issues which are the basis for the establishment of a Palestinian state.” Just organizing the meeting was a herculean task involving many decoy cars, and the coordination of security by both parties was as much a sign of thawing relations as the meeting itself.

In this photo released by Israel's Government Press Office, Israel's Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, left, shakes hands with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, right, prior to their meeting at... (Associated Press)

Israeli soldiers patrol the main road of the West Bank town of Jericho, next to a hotel where a meeting between Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert was taking place,... (Associated Press)

In this photo released by the Palestinian Authority, Israel's Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, eft, walks with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas as he arrives for a meeting at a hotel in the West... (Associated Press)

Disposed Palestinian Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh, of the Islamic group Hamas, heads a cabinet meeting in his office in Gaza City, Monday, Aug. 6, 2007. Ehud Olmert on Monday became the first Israeli... (Associated Press)

In this photo released by Israel's Government Press Office, Israel's Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, right, talks with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, left, as he arrives for a meeting at a... (Associated Press)

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Olmert, Abbas Talk on Palestinian Soil

Jericho get-together signals progress in stalled peace process

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Olmert, Abbas Talk on Palestinian Soil

Jericho get-together signals progress in stalled peace process

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OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

Israel • Ehud Olmert • Gaza • Mahmoud Abbas • Palestine • Hamas • Fatah • Jericho • West Bank • peace process

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

[ By Comments ]

More Newser Stories

Hamas, Fatah Agree to Unite

And this time, they mean it

Gilad Shalit Healing After Isolation: Dad

Noam Shalit 'understands price we are paying' for release

Israel to Free Bombers, Killers in Soldier Swap

Jerusalem releases names of first prisoners to be freed

Israel Freeing 1K Palestinians to Bring Soldier Home

Government strikes deal with Hamas for Gilad Shalit

Israel OKs 1,100 More Homes in East Jerusalem

Palestine condemns move

About Us

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Newser By Users

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