Israel: no peace without recognition of homeland

JERUSALEM – Israel’s defense minister says a peace agreement with the Palestinians is unreachable unless they recognize Israel as the Jewish homeland.

Moshe Yaalon told channel 2 TV Saturday, “it is impossible to make an agreement without there being recognition on the other side of our right to exist as the national homeland of the Jewish people.”

He said Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas is “not a partner” for ending the conflict. Peace won’t happen in his generation, he said.

The recognition issue is a sticking point in U.S. mediated talks. The Palestinians have rejected it.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has called recognition the “root of the conflict,” as it predates settlements and other issues at the heart of the talks.

Abbas meets with President Barack Obama this week.