Even with Biden, talks with Palestinians not on Israel’s agenda
Despite the election of Joe Biden, no one in Israel is keen to rush to the negotiating table with the Palestinians.
Foreign Minister Gabi Ashkenazi’s call Nov. 18 urging the Palestinians to return to the negotiating table without preconditions is highly unlikely to result in a renewed peace process with Israel. Ashkenazi took advantage of the media coverage of his meeting in Jerusalem with Bahraini Foreign Minister Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani, who was on a historic visit to Israel, to convey a conciliatory message to the Palestinians a day after they announced the resumption of security coordination with Israel that they suspended almost a year ago.
However, Ashkenazi’s was almost a lone voice in the government, lacking any operational significance as long as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is still engaged with President Donald Trump.
