Jordanian King Abdullah II believes that progress in the peace process between Israel and the Palestinians would bring a warmer relationship between the Jewish state and the Arab nations, said Israeli lawmaker Yossi Beilin on Saturday.
Beilin, who met with Abdullah II in Jordan's coastal town of Aqaba Friday night, told Israel Radio that the king said advancement of the political process with the Palestinians, even prior to resolving most of the core issues, would result in a fuller partial implementation of the 2002 Arab Peace Initiative.
The Jordanian leader also conveyed his belief that a significant number of Arab and Muslim states would renew or establish diplomatic relations with Israel following positive development of the Israeli-Palestinian relations, Beilin was quoted as saying.
The gaps between Israel and the Palestinians are smaller than what is perceived by the public, Beilin said in reply, adding that the question remains whether Israel and the Palestinians can muster the courage to make the necessary compromises and bridge those gaps.
The international Middle East Quartet on Friday expressed its strong support for the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian negotiations while emphasizing the urgent need for progress.
U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice is due to arrive in Israel Saturday night to make another push for this cause.
Source:Xinhua
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