Defense Minister Benny Gantz hosted Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas at his home in central Israel on Tuesday, earning him the ire of not a few Israelis, both in the opposition and from within the ranks of his own governing coalition.

It was the first time in over a decade that Abbas had held direct talks with a senior Israeli official in Israel. Gantz and Abbas met earlier this year in Ramallah.

A spokesperson for Gantz later said that during the meeting with Abbas and his entourage, “the defense minister emphasized the shared interest in strengthening security cooperation, preserving security stability, and preventing terrorism and violence.”

Gantz himself tweeted: “This evening I met with PA President, Mahmoud Abbas. We discussed the implementation of economic and civilian measures, and emphasized the importance of deepening security coordination and preventing terror and violence – for the well-being of both Israelis and Palestinians.”

This evening I met with PA President, Mahmoud Abbas. We discussed the implementation of economic and civilian measures, and emphasized the importance...

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