Palestinian Authority foreign minister Riad al-Malki
Palestinian Authority foreign minister Riad al-MalkiFlash 90

In an unprecedented statement Palestinian Authority (PA) Foreign Minister Riyad al-Malki explicitly rejected the possibility of renewed direct negotiations with Israel - ever.

While visiting Japan on Monday, Malki pledged to never again engage with Israel in direct negotiations towards a final settlement. “We will never go back and sit again in direct Israeli-Palestinian negotiations.”

In what may have been a response to Israeli President Reuven Rivlin’s statements on Monday to US Ambassador to the UN Samantha Power calling for a resumption of direct talks with the PA, Malki both rejected the idea of an invitation to return to the negotiating table and suggested that Islamic State (ISIS) may be poised to take over Judea and Samaria.

"If Daesh [ISIS] take advantage of lack of any brokers...then of course, they might come and try to fill it," explained Malki. "This is very dangerous.”

Malki referenced the recent spike in Arab terrorism, expressing sympathy with young terrorists and the cause they represent. 

"They are born without any hope for the future...that's why sometimes they decide to sacrifice their lives even at the age of 15...for the better lives of the rest of the Palestinians."