Abdullah: Peace talk progress to enhance ties between Israel, Arab states

Progress in Israeli-Palestinian peace talks, even before a final status agreement, will enhance ties between Israel and Arab states, in accordance with the Arab peace initiative, Jordan's King Abdullah II told MK Yossi Beilin in Akaba on Friday night. Beilin told Israel Radio on Saturday that according to the king's assessment, several Muslim Arab states will renew or form ties with Israel. Beilin said that gaps between the sides were smaller than they appeared and that the question remained whether the Israelis and Palestinians had the courage to compromise.