Barak and Fayyad meet in Jerusalem
Barak and Fayyad meet in JerusalemIsrael news photo: Flash 90

Defense Minister Ehud Barak and Palestinian Authority Prime Minister Salam Fayyad concluded direct talks Monday afternoon on easing the embargo on Hamas-controlled Gaza and on more military coordination between Israel and the PA.

A Defense Ministry announcement did not state whether the two leaders discussed political issues, such as the status of Jerusalem in a proposed PA state. Barak represents the left-wing of the coalition government, whose majority of Likud and Yisrael Beiteinu Knesset Members oppose most concessions that Barak favors. The meeting came on the eve of the departure of Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu to Washington for talks with U.S. President Barack Obama.

The talks officially concentrated on “security and economic coordination in Judea and Samaria between Israel and the Palestinian Authority,” ministry spokesmen said. “It was agreed to maintain the direct link between the Defense Ministry and…Fayyad's office in order to increase coordination and provide a response on issues that require direct and rapid contact between the sides."

Simultaneously with the statement, the Foreign Ministry announced further relaxation of the partial embargo on Gaza. Until recently, the previous policy of the Netanyahu and Olmert governments was not to budge on the embargo until Hamas frees kidnapped soldier Gilad Shalit, who has been in captivity for four years without evidence of his condition.

Israel still is prohibiting the transfer of arms into Gaza “without specific permits” and will continue to restrict “dual use goods” that can be used for civilian and military purposes.

The list includes range of chemicals used in the production of explosives, including certain fertilizers, specific types of metal profiles, hunting knives and machetes, optical equipment, such as lasers and night vision goggles, certain navigation aides, diving equipment, parachutes, gliders and missile related computer technologies.

However, the government now is allowing the transfer of construction material which had been banned because they could be used for building bunkers, fortifying terrorist positions and digging tunnels used for smuggling weapons and terrorists.

The Foreign Ministry said the building materials are restricted to construction projects authorized and monitored by the international community. No details were provided on what mechanisms, if any, will be implemented to ensure that the materials are used only for civilian uses.

The list includes Portland cement, quarry materials, pre-cast concrete elements, steel, iron, wooden beams and other building materials.