Secretary General of the League of Arab States Amr Moussa said today that Israel's recent demand for recognition as a "Jewish state" is not serious.
Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu's demand shows that the country's approach toward its negotiations with the Palestinians is not serious, Moussa was quoted as saying by RIA Novosti.
"These statements lead to doubts about the possibility of achieving a result in the talks," he said in an interview with the BBC this week.
Meanwhile, the Israeli PM said a comprehensive peace deal is possible given three conditions - real measures to ensure security, Israel's recognition as a Jewish state, and a refusal to continue the conflict.
Meanwhile, Moussa expressed indignation at Israel voicing such demands, and making any preconditions.
"The Palestinians are not allowed to put forward their conditions," he said, noting that Arab countries hope to find an acceptable resolution to the Arab-Israeli conflict.
Netanyahu made the statement after Washington's announcement Friday that Israel and the Palestinians will start direct peace negotiations for the first time in 20 months.
The first meeting between the Israeli and Palestinian leaders is expected for Sept. 2 in Washington. The talks will address Jerusalem's status, the delimitation of the borders between the two countries, settlements, Palestinian refugees and water resources.
Meanwhile, Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas plans to inform members of the Middle East Quartet that the direct negotiations will collapse if Israel continues to build its settlements.
The moratorium on building Jewish settlements in the West Bank will expire on Sept. 26. The Israeli government has already announced that it will not renew the moratorium.