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Israeli Foreign Ministry Document Outlines Strategy to Avoid Permanent Peace Deal

by on Thursday, October 8, 2009 at 1:37 am EDT in Middle East, World

Naor Gilon, former counselor of political affairs for Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman, presented him with a document outlining the country’s future foreign policy strategy.  It reveals:

The government should not attempt to reach a permanent settlement with the Palestinians but rather focus on a temporary accord that would prevent US and European frustration.

[…]

“.. the attempt at imposing a settlement with the Palestinians has failed in the past”, and that future attempts would lead to more disappointment and frustration on the part of the US and Europe as well as a violent Palestinian response.

[…]

“We need a realistic attitude – the arrival at a temporary accord without dealing with the core issues. This is the maximum that can be achieved, if we want to be realistic,” the document states.

The document is expected to be approved by the ministry’s directorate within days as Israel’s official future foreign policy.

Meanwhile, Lieberman told journalists in Croatia two weeks ago that he was ready to enter peace  negotiations with the Palestinians without preconditions, but said of Israel’s ongoing illegal settlement activity:

“It’s not a real problem … It’s only an excuse [for the Palestinians] to avoid direct talks.”