Jordan is set to host a meeting on Sunday between top Israeli and Palestinian officials, both political and security, in an effort to reduce tensions that have led to violence in recent months. The one-day meeting in Aqaba, a Red Sea port, will include representatives from key regional parties and will be the first time that top security chiefs from both sides will meet in years. The US President's adviser on the Middle East will also attend. The talks are part of Jordan's increased diplomatic engagement with Washington and regional partner Egypt, aimed at restoring calm and rebuilding trust between Israel and the Palestinian territories. The meeting offers hope of a political future for the Palestinians, according to a senior Jordanian official. If successful, it is hoped that tensions will decrease. The meeting offers a chance to halt a surge in Israeli-Palestinian clashes in recent months that has sparked Arab anger and international concern about a slide back to a wider Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The meeting aims to end unilateral measures by Israel and eventually lead to further political engagement.
