RAMALLAH: Former Israeli foreign minister, Avigdor Lieberman, has expresses his belief that peace between Israel and Palestine is “impossible" and can only be “managed", reports Al Jazeera. “Anyone who thinks that in the center of this socio-diplomatic ocean, this tsunami which is jarring the Arab world, it is possible to arrive at the magic solution of a comprehensive peace with the Palestinians does not understand,” Lieberman told Israeli Channel Two. Peace talks between the Netanyahu led government and the Palestinian Authority's president Mahmoud Abbas have been stalled for over two years. President Abbas suspended talks when Israel refused to renew a freeze on settlement building in the occupied West Bank and annexed East Jerusalem. The difficulties were exacerbated last November when President Abbas went to the United Nations seeking an upgrade in status for the Palestinian Authority. It won non-member observer state status with an overwhelming majority, granting Palestine access to the International Court of Justice. Israel responded by withholding $100 million in tax funds it collects for the Palestinian Authority, as well as increasing raids and the use of live fire in the occupied West Bank. Lieberman's Legal Troubles The former foreign minister was recently indicted on fraud and breach of trust charges. He is accused of heralding the promotion of a diplomat that forwarded him information concerning a Belarusian inquiry into his business dealings. Lieberman resigned his post as foreign minister in the middle of December in order to fight the original charges. He was under investigation for more serious crimes for nearly 12 years before the indictment and has previously been convicted of assaulting a 12-year-old boy. BN
