Palestinians, Israelis met in London

Representatives for the Israeli Labor and Meritz parties met a delegation representing the Palestinian authority in London last week.

One of the project's organizers, Ron Bundak, said yesterday that political advisors for the leaders of the Labor party and Meritz and parliamentarians and officials at the Palestinian authority took part in the first meeting of its kind since the eruption of the Palestinian Intifada in September, 2000.

Bundak said that it was found out during the meeting that it is possible to eliminate differences concerning fundamental issues but only after restoring back atmospheres of confidence.

He explained that the two delegations decided to resume the dialogue if possible at a higher level after the Israeli elections due on January 28th.

On the Israeli side, the meeting was attended by the assistant for the secretary of the Labor party and assistant for the former defense minister while the Palestinian side was attended by Basel Jaber, the assistant for Nabil Shaath, the responsible for planning and international cooperation and other parliamentarian and officials.