Israel slams Argentina for recognizing Palestinian state

Government officials are concerned that the fact that Brazil, Argentina and Uruguay have announced recognition of a Palestinian state within the 1967 borders will influence other South American nations and the rest of the world.

"This is a regretful and disappointing step which doesn't contribute in the least to the peace process," said Foreign Ministry spokesman Yigal Palmor of the Argentinean announcement. "It's a spoken gesture that goes against the Oslo Accords, which state that a permanent solution can only come as result of negotiations." (Ronen Medzini and Ali Waked)