Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman
Photo: Gil Yohanan
Future foreign policy may forgo permanent peace deal
Unapproved Foreign Ministry document says temporary accord leaving out core issues should be reached in order to prevent international frustration, violent Palestinian response
The Foreign Ministry's political staff has composed a document outlining Israel's future foreign policy, which states that the government should not attempt to reach a permanent settlement with the Palestinians but rather focus on a temporary accord that would prevent US and European frustration.
The document, handed to Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman on Wednesday, was drafted by Naor Gilon, Lieberman's former counselor for political affairs.
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"We need a realistic attitude – the arrival at a temporary accord without dealing with the core issues. This is the maximum that can be achieved, if we want to be realistic," the document states.
It also urges Lieberman to reestablish ties with countries Israel has abandoned for many years, among these African, Latin American, Balkan, Asian, and moderate Arab nations.
Lieberman is also advised to employ a zero tolerance policy for instances of anti-Semitism and international isolation. The document suggests that Israel focus on environmental and economic issues in order to bolster its image worldwide.
"The age in which Israel could allow itself to be isolated is over," says the document, which is scheduled to be brought before the ministry's directorate in order to be approved as Israel's official foreign policy within the coming days.
