Israeli Defence Minister Mr Shaul Mofaz will hold talks with Palestinian leaders next week, political sources said today, after his chief of staff said a harsh security clampdown on Palestinian areas was backfiring.
It would be first such ministerial meeting between the two sides since Mr Ahmed Qurie was named Palestinian prime minister last month and marked a more moderate Israeli stance that has raised a glimmer of hope for the troubled "road map" peace plan.
Israeli political sources said the head of the Defence Ministry's diplomatic and security branch, Mr Amos Gilad, had exploratory talks with Palestinian Authority officials this week to pave the way for a meeting involving Mr Mofaz next week. One source called it "the beginning of new contacts in which both sides are stating initial positions for further talks" - likely to focus on easing Israel's military grip in Palestinian areas in exchange for Palestinian undertakings to curb violence.
The move came after Lieutenant-General Moshe Yaalon told newspaper columnists this week that imposing blockades with the stated aim of preventing suicide attacks only spread hatred for Israel by pinning down an entire population.
Israeli media said Prime Minister Mr Ariel Sharon demanded an apology from Lieutenant-General Yaalon but yesterday he also offered to meet his Palestinian counterpart, Mr Qurie.
"I believe we are on the brink of a new opportunity to find the way to quiet and peace," Mr Sharon told businessmen. Sources close to Sharon said Israel realised it must do more to head off the breakdown of order in Palestinian areas.