Israel will rethink its approach to the Middle East peace process after the Arab summit in Cairo, a government spokesman said, accusing the Palestinians of failing to comply with a deadline to end violence.
"We can now officially state that the Palestinian Authority hasn't fulfilled its part of the understandings which were achieved at Sharm el-Sheikh," Israeli government spokesman Nachman Shai told a news conference.
"Israel will take a time out from the diplomatic process and will consider its steps in the future," following the Arab summit on Saturday and Sunday in the Egyptian capital, Shai said.
"In the time out, Israel will reassess the past few weeks since violence erupted and will make its decision on when, how and in what way it will continue the peace process."
Nine Palestinians were killed in clashes with Israeli forces on the West Bank on Friday, the day a truce brokered by US President Bill Clinton in the Egyptian resort of Sharm el-Sheikh was due to take effect – JERUSALEM (AFP)
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