Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu and Palestinian Authority Mahmoud Abbas shook hands for the first time in five years at the climate conference in Paris Sunday. The two leaders were shown on the left of a high photo-op “family picture” with 150 world leaders.
For some reason, Israeli media thought it was worth a screaming headline, but the fine print stated the obvious – it was a handshake and nothing more and nothing less.
The meeting was more like two ships passing in the night but brushing along each other’s sides by accident.
The London Jewish Chronicle reported the handshake in perspective, telling its readers that Abbas and Netanyahu “bumped into other.” If so, better to shake hands than to get into a fist fight.
Abbas and Netanyahu did not appear to talk with each other. They really did not have much to say, except , “Excuse me.”
French leaders still are going through the motions of trying to arrange an official meeting between Abbas and Netanyahu so they can talk about peace.
For the record, the meeting is not likely to take place.