Israel, Palestinians pledge to curb violence during Egypt security meeting

By Ibrahim al-Khazen

ISTANBUL (AA) – Israel and the Palestinians pledged during a security meeting in Egypt’s Red Sea city of Sharm El-Sheikh on Sunday to curb violence and incitement amid rising tensions in the occupied West Bank.

The meeting brought together delegates from Israel, the Palestinian Authority, Egypt, Jordan and the United States.

“The parties reaffirmed their commitment to advancing security, stability and peace for Israelis and Palestinians alike,” read a joint statement issued following the meeting.

The two sides also recognized “the necessity of de-escalation on the ground, the prevention of further violence, as well as of pursuing confidence building measures, enhancing mutual trust, creating political horizon, and addressing outstanding issues through direct dialogue,” it added.

The Israeli government and the Palestinian Authority also reiterated commitment to immediately work to end unilateral measures for a period of 3-6 months.

“This includes an Israeli commitment to stop discussion of any new settlement units for 4 months, and to stop authorization of any outposts for 6 months,” the statement said.

The Israeli and Palestinian sides also agreed “to develop a mechanism to curb and counter violence, incitement, and inflammatory statements and actions, which will report to the quintet leadership in April, in a resumed session of the meeting in Sharm El Sheikh.”

“The two sides reaffirmed their commitment to all previous agreements between them, and reaffirmed their agreement to address all outstanding issues through direct dialogue,” the statement said.

The two sides also agreed to establish a mechanism to improve the economic conditions of the Palestinian people and to significantly enhance the fiscal situation of the Palestinian Authority.

“They also reiterated the commitment of upholding unchanged the historic status quo at the Holy Sites in Jerusalem, both in word and in practice,” the statement said. “They emphasized the necessity of both Israelis and Palestinians to actively prevent any actions that would disrupt the sanctity of these sites, inter alia during the upcoming Holy Month of Ramadan, which coincides with Easter and Passover this year.”

Sunday’s security meeting was held as tension was rising high across the occupied West Bank in recent months amid repeated Israeli military raids into Palestinian towns.

Nearly 90 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli fire since the start of this year, according to Palestinian figures. Fourteen Israelis have also been killed in separate attacks during the same period.

* Writing by Ahmed Asmar