A bitter confrontation broke out between the head of the Israeli negotiating team Yitzhak Molcho and chief Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat during their meeting In Jordan on Saturday.
An Israeli official familiar with the content of the talks said that, by all accounts, Erekat and Molcho exchanged harsh words in front of their stunned Jordanian hosts, with the argument reaching its peak when Prime Minister Netanyahu's envoy asked to present Israel’s position on security arrangements.
Erekat refused to let him present the Israeli stance, and Molcho responded by leveling harsh criticism at Erekat.
Molcho and Erekat are due to meet in Jordan on Wednesday for the fifth time, a day ahead of the January 26 deadline set by the Palestinians for Israel to present their position on the question of borders.
The Palestinians are threatening to leave the talks in Jordan if Israel does not declare its stance by the set deadline.
According to the senior Israeli official, the Palestinians will carry out the threat, leaving the talks and creating a diplomatic crisis to put pressure on Israel.
“The Palestinians are preparing the ground for abandonment and for closing the door,” the senior Israeli official said.
In September, the Mideast Quartet set forth a four-month target for the sides to present proposals on the key issues of future borders and security arrangements. The Palestinians believe the timeline expires on January 26. Israel says the clock doesn’t start ticking until negotiations are under way.