(Communicated by the Foreign Minister's Bureau)
Vice Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Tzipi Livni met today (Wednesday, April 16, 2008) in Jerusalem with Stephen Hadley, Assistant to US President George W. Bush for National Security Affairs.
FM Livni briefed Mr. Hadley on the details of her recent visit to the Persian Gulf. During the meeting, the two also discussed the political process with the Palestinians, with emphasis on Israel's security requirements in any future settlement.
In light of the forthcoming visit to Washington of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, FM Livni advised Mr. Hadley of a report published today concerning the Palestinian Authority's alleged award of medals to five female terrorists serving their sentence in Israel, pointing out the grave and problematical issues arising from this, and the message it transmits, regarding the Palestinian Authority's obligation to prevent terror within PA-controlled areas.
FM Livni and Mr. Hedley also discussed the necessity of continued international action to increase sanctions of Iran.