Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak said that Palestinians not Israel who chose the path of violence, noting that “violence will only unite Israelis.”
His remarks came during the opening session of the Knesset after a three-month break, monitored live in Amman on BBC TV.
Barak said that peace is still possible, but Israel does not have a partner prepared to compromise.
The Prime Minister said that the Palestinians missed the opportunity to end the conflict, accusing them of breaking the agreements for along time.
“Palestinians failed to conclude the peace of braves,” he told the Knesset members.
However, Barak still seemed optimistic that peace will prevail in the region.
“I am sure that the white peace dove will appear with a branch of olive in its mouth.”
Barak, who has been without a majority in the house since July, has been seeking to form a national emergency government to deal with the violence and fend off opposition moves calling for early elections, reported AFP.
"(Barak) is acting to expand the government since the emergency situation requires all of us to lay aside petty politics," a statement from his office said before the Knesset began its winter session, said.
For his part, opposition leader Ariel Sharon said that he supports an emergency government, describing it As vital and very important “to show that Israel is still united.”
However, he said that he does not support the division of Jerusalem or giving lands in the Jordan Valley back to the Palestinians -- Albawaba.com
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