Israeli Labor party leader Shelly Yachimovich.

Israel’s Opposition leader Shelly Yachimovich (Labor), met with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas in Ramallah Sunday, Israeli media has reported.

The two discussed the situation in the Middle East and the possibility of progressing beyond the stalemate in the talks between Israel and the Palestinian Authority. Yachimovich reportedly told Abbas “this is the time to respond to the mediation efforts  of the United States to renew talks.”

Yachimovich told Abbas that the Labor Party is committed to the “peace process” and to the “two state solution,” and emphasized that Israel’s greatest interest is in the security of its citizens.

She also said she told Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu the opposition would provide him with a coalitional safety net should he take steps toward a political settlement with the Palestinian Authority.