Bethlehem - Ma'an - Israel's Ministerial Committee on National Security hopes to "enter negotiations quickly, while finding a way to overcome the obstacles obstructing this goal," a statement from the group said Wednesday following a meeting.

The group also addressed concern that Palestinian elections, set for 24 January, may cause "a polarization of Palestinian Authority positions regarding Israel," and hinder possible talks.

According to the statement from the ministers, they were joined by military, intelligence, security and Foreign Ministry officials.