Israel quickly welcomed the move after unsuccessful US attempts at shuttle diplomacy. Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas said he would accept the decision of the Arab foreign ministers and the principle of indirect talks. The Palestine Liberation Organisation must now agree to the proposal for it to go ahead. The organisation is due to meet at the end of this week.

"Despite the lack of conviction in the seriousness of the Israeli side, the committee sees that it would give the indirect talks the chance as a last attempt and to facilitate the US role,” Arab League Secretary General Amr Moussa said.

Arab foreign ministers backed the talks on the condition they last four months; otherwise, they will call for an emergency Security Council meeting to address the Arab-Israeli conflict.

Arab states’ support comes as a bonus for Mahmoud Abbas, who strongly backed the Cairo meeting (pictured). The so-called proximity talks or indirect diplomatic negotiations through intermediaries will probably involve a US mediator as a go-between Jerusalem and Ramallah, the seat of the Palestinian Authority in the West Bank. However, Palestinian officials are not optimistic, and downplay expectations. A Palestinian spokesman said that direct talks between the two sides were still not an option.

Talks between the two sides stopped in December 2008 because of Israel’s ‘Cast Lead’ operation in the Gaza Strip. Israel’s Jewish settlements in the West Bank and control over East Jerusalem further complicate matters.

Israel views the whole city of Jerusalem as their “the eternal and undivided” capital. Palestinians want instead East Jerusalem, which is currently occupied territory, as the capital of their future state.