BICOM

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Jordan’s King Abdullah met on Monday for the first time since 2014 in Amman, to discuss ways to advance peace in the Middle East.

It comes ahead of the arrival of Jared Kushner, a senior advisor to US President Donald Trump, and Jason Greenblatt, the President’s Special Representative for International Negotiations, in the region next week. Netanyahu’s visit was kept secret and only revealed after he returned to Israel on Monday night

Netanyahu’s visit was kept secret and only revealed after he returned to Israel on Monday night. The two leaders had not met since 2014.

The meeting also included Israeli intelligence chief Yossi Cohen, Netanyahu’s military attache Eliezer Toledano, his Chief of Staff Yoav Horowitz, a representative from the National Security Council and the Prime Minister’s most senior economic adviser, Prof. Avi Simhon. The Jordanian representatives at the meeting were Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi, General Intelligence Department Director Maj. Gen. Adnan Jundi, Director of the Office of His Majesty Manar Dabbas, and Adviser to His Majesty for Economic Affairs Mohamad Al Ississ.

Netanyahu’s office said that both leaders discussed “regional developments and advancing the peace process and bilateral relations,” with the Prime Minister reiterating Israel’s commitment to maintaining the status quo at the holy sites in Jerusalem.

King Abdullah reaffirmed that the only way to achieve peace and stability in the region is by reaching a two-state solution and the establishment of a Palestinian state on the 4 June 1967 lines, with East Jerusalem as its capital, living side by side with Israel in peace and security.

Discussions at the meeting also covered a number of bilateral issues, including the Red Sea-Dead Sea Water Conveyance Project, which will have a positive impact on Jordan, the West Bank and Israel. The leaders also agreed to consider lifting obstacles to Jordanian exports to the West Bank.

The meeting underpins the importance both Israel and Jordan are placing on the imminent visit of Kushner, and Greenblatt to Jerusalem and Amman this week. The meeting also comes ahead of Prince William, the Duke of Cambridge’s visit to Israel, Jordan and the Palestinian Authority next week.

Following an incident last summer when an Israeli security guard in the Amman embassy killed two Jordanians, one who attacked him and another who was caught in the crossfire, Israel and Jordan temporarily cut diplomatic ties.