Israeli Cabinet to Discuss More Measures Against Palestinians

PM Says Refusal to Accept Talks a 'Violation' of Oslo

Speaking today after “closed-door discussions,” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu angrily condemned the Palestinian Authority, saying they were violating the “central tenet” of the Oslo accords by refusing to hold direct negotiations without any preconditions.

The PA has insisted the talks will only come if Israel agrees to halt the expansion of settlements, saying it does no good to start negotiations on final territorial boundaries if Israel keeps expanding settlements deeper into that territory.

Netanyahu also condemned UNESCO’s recognition of Palestine as a member, and reportedly the “Inner Cabinet” of Israel will be holding additional meetings throughout the week on further measures to “punish” the Palestinians for being recognized.

Though Israel’s moves against the PA have been criticized internationally, Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman said it was necessary to punish them because they are “murderers” and demanded that the rest of the world stop complaining about settlement expansions.

Author: Jason Ditz

Jason Ditz is Senior Editor for Antiwar.com. He has 20 years of experience in foreign policy research and his work has appeared in The American Conservative, Responsible Statecraft, Forbes, Toronto Star, Minneapolis Star-Tribune, Providence Journal, Washington Times, and the Detroit Free Press.