The renowned Jewish musician Daniel Barenboim has expressed sharp criticism of Israel's treatment of the Palestinians in an interview published Sunday in a newspaper published by the German parliament. ( dpa )
In the interview with the Bundestag's Das Parlament, Barenboim said that while he was pessimistic of a solution to the Middle East conflict in the short term, he was more optimistic over the longer term.
Israel, as an occupying power, was obliged to attend to the quality of life of the Palestinians under its control, said Barenboim, who holds Israeli citizenship along with others.
"What have we done? Nothing. The fact is that we have created a situation that has taken us to where we are today."
Barenboim said a one-state solution for Israelis and Palestinians was unacceptable and that the proposed two-state solution would not work under current circumstances.
A synthesis of the two was required, he said, sketching out his view for a peaceful future in the region.
"For me personally this means a Palestinian state with all the rights of a state, but in federation from the outset with Israel and preferably with Jordan," Barenboim said.