Translation by "Jerusalem" dot com - Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz said that security coordination between his forces and the Palestinian Authority is important for the security of Israelis, and that he does not rule out holding a new meeting with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas if necessary.

During an interview with the Hebrew website Ynet, Gantz renewed his condemnation of President Abbas's statements about the "Holocaust" and described them as "outrageous, dangerous, misleading, and false," stressing that he had asked through his office to clarify his statements and apologize for them.

He denied that there was coordination between him and Lapid regarding asking Abu Mazen to retract his statements, and said, "The issue of the West Bank is a distinct political security issue, and my relationship with the Palestinians continues, and there is coordination between my office and Abu Mazen's office."

He said, "We live in the Middle East, I have to send soldiers into battle and do my best to prevent any battle, to maintain security stability, to be careful for it.. I'm not doing this with Teresa, I'm doing it with anyone on the ground, That is the nature of things."

He added, "We are here, and the Palestinians are also here. We need to maintain relations with them.. I had meetings with Abu Mazen, and this is not out of personal friendship."

In response to a question about whether he would meet with Abu Mazen again, especially in Rosh Haayin, Gantz said: "There are no plans in this regard in the near future, and there is no need for him to come to Rosh Haayin every time, and as much as is necessary, I can meet with him to ensure the interest of the people." Israel, and I will do what is appropriate for that .. I am here not responsible for a tweet, I am responsible for a reality and I need to achieve stability and for that we need to continue on a kind of horizon to continue dialogue of one kind or another with the Palestinians, and in the end this is in the interest of both sides."

He stressed that he finds it difficult to reach a permanent and long-term agreement with the Palestinians, and said: "I think we need to continue working to reduce the conflict, and perhaps we can reach a permanent settlement in the future."

In response to a question about his partner Gadi Eisenkot's theory of separation from the Palestinians and whether that means evacuating the settlements, Gantz said: "No, the goal is to maintain the strategic dialogue... I ask: What is the alternative? A more extreme reorganization than Abu Mazen, and more." Extremism from Hamas..Is Islamic Jihad better than Abu Mazen? He is the leader of the Palestinians, not Hamas or Jihad. The other danger is the idea of one state and being a Jewish minority. Is this what we want? We must strive to move forward.

In response to a question, is the solution "two states for two peoples?", Gantz said: "No.. this is just an illusion. The only way is to reduce conflict, maintain security, develop the economy, strengthen the State of Israel, and work to strengthen the Palestinian Authority."

Regarding what is happening in Joseph's tomb, the Israeli army minister said: "According to the arrangements and agreements, we are entering Joseph's tomb. There was shooting at the cars of the convoy that entered and left. The Israeli army forces moved, and unfortunately it also ended with Palestinian deaths."