Lieberman calls PA "illegitimate"

Israel’s Foreign Minister has launched a strong attack on the Palestinian Authority in a speech to the annual conference of Israeli ambassadors. Avigdor Lieberman said that the PA has an “illegitimate government” which isn’t holding elections. “We must not,” he added, “reach a [final status] agreement with it.”

Lieberman believes that there is “no chance” of such an agreement in any case in the foreseeable future, “especially on the issues of Jerusalem and refugees”. As a result, the Foreign Minister is working on a diplomatic plan for an “interim agreement” with the Palestinians. His “Plan B” is to be presented to his government’s seven key ministers for approval so that it can be put forward as Israel’s official position to the Obama administration. “The plan,” said Lieberman, “has to bring the peace process down to earth”.