One of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's closest advisers has declared that 'there is no Palestinian leadership' to act as partner in peace talks. reported Press TV.
Netanyahu's national security adviser, Uzi Arad, questioned whether Israel's government has a Palestinian negotiating partner who can deliver peace.
"I ... do not see a Palestinian leadership or a Palestinian regime, but a disorderly constellation of forces and factions," Arad said on Thursday indicating deep skepticism about prospects for peace.
The statement by Arad, Israel's National Security Council chief, raises new questions about Tel Aviv's real intention over international efforts to renew stalled peace talks.
Netanyahu, known for his decades-long opposition to peace talks, has been under heavy pressure from Washington to renew peace talks and accept US-backed two-state solution. He recently endorsed Palestinian statehood but only under very tough conditions which the Palestinians were quick to reject.
According to Nabil Abu Rdainah, a spokesman for acting Palestinian Authority chief Mahmoud Abbas, Arad's remarks are "yet another Israeli hurdle" in the pursuit of peace.
Earlier, Netanyahu said publicly he would be prepared to meet immediately with Abbas.
Abbas, however, has said peace talks with Israel could resume only if it met its commitments under a 2003 peace "road map" to halt settlement activity, widely regarded as another obstacle Israel has putting in the way of peace talks.