Moshe Ya'alon
Moshe Ya'alonYonatan Sindel/Flash 90

A peace deal between Israel and the Palestinian Authority (PA) is not likely to be forged in the near future, Defense Minister Moshe Ya'alon (Likud) stated Tuesday. 

"Unfortunately, and based on my vast experience, I do not see the formation of such an agreement during my lifetime," Ya'alon stated in a speech during the 15th Herzliya Conference. "The tool that they use the most against us today is delegitimization. There is less of a conventional threat." 

Yaalon referred to the threats to Israel from Iran, Hamas and Hezbollah, as well.

"Despite sanctions and the difficult economic situation in Iran, it does not stop investing millions in Gaza, Hamas, Islamic Jihad and all those who are willing to challenge Israel," he said.

"Senior officials from the Nusra Front in the Syrian Golan are purifying the area from Islamic State [ISIS - ed.]," he continued. "Senior officials from ISIS are dealing with Hamas in Gaza, and as part of this conflict they are firing rockets at us."

"Israeli policy regarding what is happening in the region is not to get involved," he maintained. "We have a clear policy with red lines. All those who are working in Syria, Lebanon, Gaza or Sinai are familiar with these red lines." 

Ya'alon also referred to relations between Israel and the United States, "there is no doubt that relations between Israel and the United States must be part of the component of our national security," he said.