New York Times – Israel announced on Friday a package of steps meant to develop infrastructure and encourage economic growth in the Palestinian territories, in what appeared to be an effort to mollify the Western-backed Palestinian Authority leadership and allay international criticism in the absence of peace talks.

The prime minister of Israel,Benjamin Netanyahu, said that the gestures were meant “first of all to enhance stability” by improving the Palestinian quality of life, in a reference to the mass protests rocking Egypt, Israel’s neighbor and longtime peace partner, and other parts of the Arab world.