Moshe Kahlon
Moshe KahlonYonatan Sindel/Flash 90

Finance Minister Moshe Kahlon (Kulanu) met on Monday in Ramallah with the head of the Palestinian Authority’s (PA) Ramallah government, Rami Hamdallah.

The meeting was also attended by the PA official in charge of finances, the PA official in charge of civil affairs and other senior PA officials. On the Israeli side the meeting was attended by the Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories, Major General Yoav Mordechai, and Deputy Finance Minister Yitzhak Cohen (Shas).

Kahlon called on the PA to return to negotiations mediated by the United States.

"The Americans are the only honest brokers in the region. I urge you to return to the negotiating table through President Trump's emissary to the Middle East, Jason Greenblatt," he said.

Monday’s meeting is the latest in a series of meetings between Kahlon and Hamdallah. The two discussed security issues as well as economic and financial issues. Among other things, they discussed issues related to the activities of the Palestinian banks, the establishment of industrial zones and the creation of employment opportunities.

In addition, Kahlon and Hamdallah also discussed issues related to the regulation of the Palestinian water and electricity sector.

They agreed to meet again in three weeks in Jerusalem.

Following President Donald Trump’s recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital in December, PA chairman Mahmoud Abbas declared that he would "no longer accept" any peace plan proposed by the United States.

On Tuesday, Abbas is due to speak at the United Nations Security Council. His speech is expected to focus on Jerusalem and on the “Palestinian basic principles” from which there would be no withdrawal.