Dropping comprehensive peace moves would suit Israel's plans for Jerusalem
Avigdor Lieberman does not lead Israeli peace negotiations, but his statement casts a pall over latest US diplomatic efforts to revive negotiations.
Envoy George Mitchell is in the region, spearheading Obama administration efforts to re-launch negotiations.
Talks are stalled over the issue of Jewish settlements on occupied land.
Mr Mitchell is due to meet Mr Lieberman and Israeli Defence Minister Ehud Barak on Thursday, and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas on Friday.
Reports quote US officials saying the visit was unlikely to conclude with a resumption of talks.
But the envoy said before a meeting with Israel's president: "We're going to continue with our efforts to achieve an early relaunch of negotiations... because we believe that's an essential step toward achieving the comprehensive peace."
In a radio interview, Mr Lieberman said people who think Israel and the Palestinians can reach a deal "do not understand reality and are sowing illusions".
"We have to be realistic - we will not be able to reach agreement on core and emotional subjects like Jerusalem and the right of return (of Palestinian refugees," he said.
"I am going to say very clearly - there are conflicts that have not been completely solved and people have learned to live with it, like Cyprus."
His suggestion was a long-term interim deal to ensure prosperity, security and stability and leave tough questions until later."
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1 comment:
Hola visito su blog y le invito a visitar el mio desde Granada , El blog de MA. Un saludo compartiendo culturas .
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