Israeli Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman stated Sunday that there will be tough repercussions for a UN approval of a Palestinian state. However, he said he welcomed the Quartet’s proposal to open negotiations.

Israeli Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman stated Sunday that there will be tough repercussions for a UN approval of a Palestinian state. However, he said he welcomed the Quartet’s proposal to open negotiations.

Lieberman told the Israeli Public Radio from New York: “If the Palestinians will indeed pass a one-sided resolution if not in the Security Council then the General Assembly, this would bring us to an altogether new situation and this would have repercussions, tough repercussions."

"Any unilateral step will without a doubt bring an Israeli reaction," the FM added.

On the other hand, Lieberman welcomed the Quartet’s (US, UN, EU, Russia) proposal that called for achieving a peace deal that would approve a Palestinian state alongside Israel, in the territories Israel occupied in 1967.

"I think we must accept the Quartet proposal, for it includes a very positive point … the opening of negotiations with no preconditions," he told the Israeli radio. However, he pointed out that he still had reservations about the Quartet’s proposal.

In parallel the Israeli FM accused Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas of “constantly looking for excuses not to negotiate”, and said: “I hope the Palestinians face up to their responsibilities this time."