Prime Minister Yair Lapid with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas on Friday. This was the first call between a sitting Israeli premier and the Palestinian leader in five years.
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The two leaders reportedly discussed cooperation between the PA and Israel, and the need to maintain stability in the region, as well as US President Joe Biden's visit to Israel and the PA next week.
Lapid extended his best wishes to Abbas and the Palestinian people on the occasion of the Eid Al-Adha holiday, which begins this Saturday.
Separately, President Isaac Herzog also spoke with Abbas to convey his best wishes ahead of Eid al-Adha, the second and biggest of the two main holidays celebrated in Islam.
Defense Minister Benny Gantz met with Abbas in Ramallah on Thursday.
The two discussed various security issues, as well as Biden's visit.
According to the Defense Ministry, the meeting "went well" and the two agreed to maintain the Israeli-Palestinian security coordination and "avoid any steps that undermine stability."
One of Abbas' aides told Israel Hayom that the Palestinian leader sees Biden's visit as an opportunity to change the diplomatic situation between Israel and the PA, and that he is willing to meet with Lapid to discuss the matter.
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