In a move clearly intended to defuse some of the tension that has been at boiling point since an Israeli settler slaughtered at least 29 Arabs in Hebron last month, senior commanders of the Israel Defense Force have met with Arab leaders in that West Bank city.
In the meeting, which took place Tuesday, the Arab leaders aired their fears and grievances, many of which revolve around the curfew that has remained in place since the killings.
Palestinians are seething with anger as they are forced to remain indoors for lengthy periods, and have often exploded in rage in the couple of hours set aside to allow them to go outside to do necessary shopping for household needs, such as food.
Other meetings aimed at mutual understanding have taken place, as well.
In the Knesset, Labor Party doves hosted four Gaza Strip leaders of the Palestine Liberation Organization, all of whom have been imprisoned by the authorities for terrorism.
The PLO leaders declared their belief in the peace process and their support for it.
In their discussion with the Knesset members, they called for the dismantling of Jewish settlements in Gaza.
Rafael Eitan, leader of the Tsomet opposition party, called the meeting a “shameful crawling to the PLO.”
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