JERUSALEM (AP) — Israel’s foreign minister says a peace deal with the Palestinians is impossible under current conditions and that Israel shouldn’t pursue one.
Avigdor Lieberman told Israeli diplomats Sunday that Israel should instead seek a long-term, interim agreement on security and economic matters. Palestinians have consistently rejected that approach.
Lieberman called the West Bank Palestinian Authority “not legitimate” because it has postponed elections.
Peace talks between Israel and the Palestinian Authority broke down in September. U.S. mediators have not been able to restart them.
Lieberman is known for expressing hard-line views that don’t always represent Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Netanyahu’s office had no immediate comment.
