A new set of good will gestures proposed by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for the Palestinian Authority was approved Sunday by Israel’s Security Cabinet, a day ahead of the first visit to Jerusalem ever by a sitting U.S. president.
On Monday, President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump will arrive just after 12 noon in Air Force One at Ben Gurion International Airport, together with a large group of top U.S. administration officials.
Education Minister Naftali Bennett and Justice Minister Ayelet Shaked, both members of Bayit Yehudi, objected to the measures. Eight ministers supported the motion, which passed.
On the list were increasing the number of construction permits for Palestinian Authority citizens to build in Area C; opening of the Allenby border crossing between Israel and Jordan 24 hours a day, and establishment of an industrial zone in Tarqumiya (west of Hebron) and Jenin.
The move is being interpreted by analysts as Israel’s message to U.S. President Donald Trump that Prime Minister Netanyahu is ready for talks with PA leader Mahmoud Abbas. It is also seen as a response to the speech in Riyadh by U.S. President Donald Trump, which stressed cooperation between the three Abrahamic faiths in order to