Justice Minister Tzipi Livni met on Thursday night 15 Iyar in England with PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas (Abu Mazen). The meeting was reported as being “unofficial” amid the fact the talks between Israel and the PA have broken down.

Yediot Achronot reports that officials in Livni’s office stress the meeting was unofficial, not a part of negotiations between Israel and the PA, but an effort by her to ascertain where Abu Mazen plans to go from here. She is seeking to determine if Abu Mazen plans to enter into a conflict with Israel in the international community or perhaps he hopes to return to the talks. Livni explained to the PA leader that his decision to cut a deal with Hamas to enter into a coalition government is viewed as most problematic by Israel and it significantly complicated resuming talks.

Prior to meeting with Abu Mazen Livni met in London with US Secretary of State John Kerry, seeking to find a way to jumpstart the talks with Israel.

In the eyes of Prime Minister Netanyahu, Livni’s meeting with Abu Mazen represents her personal views and not those of Israel. The Prime Minister’s Office released a statement reaffirming the cabinet’s position that Israel will not negotiate with the PA for as long as it is aligned with Hamas, with the latter committed to Israel’s destruction.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)