Israeli defense minister, Ehud Barak, suggested, Wednesday, that Israel might consider a “unilateral move” for establishing a Palestinian state with temporary borders should negotiations between Israel and Palestine remain at a standstill. The statement was deemed ‘unacceptable’ by the Palestinian presidential spokesman, Nabil Abu Rodeina. Abu Rodeina told the WAFA News Agency that this move would lead to the continuation of the problem, the occupation, and put a halt to the idea of a two state solution rather than finding a final and comprehensive solution to the conflict.
The official pointed out that Barak’s comment was likely made due to the increasing influence of pro-settler influence in the Israeli cabinet.
Dr. Mustafa Barghouti, a Palestinian lawmaker, secretary-general of the Palestinian National initiative, emphasized that Barak’s remarks should be taken seriously, adding that it the statements reflect ‘the truth about Israel’s intentions to destroy the possibility of a Palestinian state, and to divide the Palestinian territories into smaller, isolated ghettos, on less than 40% of the West Bank, without Jerusalem and the Jordan Valley.’
Israel is refusing to hold talks on final-status issues, mainly borders, the Right of return of Palestinian refugees, natural resources, and other fundamental issues, and insists on constructing and expanding its illegal colonies in the occupied territories, especially in and around occupied East Jerusalem.
