RAMALLAH, January 11 (JMCC) - Ron Dermer, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s senior adviser, traveled to Washington this week with Defense Minister Ehud Barak, fueling speculation that even as the situation in Egypt is keeping the Israeli- Palestinian track off the front burner, diplomatic maneuvering is taking place behind the scenes to try and renew negotiations.

Speculation that diplomatic maneuvering on the Israel-Palestinian dialogue is continuing was increased this week when Ron Dermer, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s senior advisor traveled to Washington with Defense Minister Ehud Barak. There has been little public contact with US officials and Israeli and Palestinian counterparts since the start of teh Egyptian crises began over two weeks ago.

Along with Netanyahu’s envoy Yitzhak Molcho, Dermer is a central player in the triangular Israel-US-Palestinian dialogue.

Barak, however, met Wednesday in Washington for a 75- minute meeting with US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Defense Secretary Robert Gates and National Security Adviser Tom Donilon.

A statement after the meeting said the discussions focused on the situation in Egypt, Lebanon and Tunisia, and also touched on Turkey and the status of the negotiations with the Palestinians.

Prior to his meeting at the White House, Barak also met with congressional leaders, including House Majority Leader Eric Cantor and US House Minority Whip Steny Hoyer, and emphasized the importance of continued congressional support for aid to Israel, amid calls to cut US foreign aid across the board.

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