Ofir Akunis speaking in the Knesset in 2011. Photo: Wikipedia.

Times of Israel – Likud MK Ofir Akunis added his voice to the recent chorus of coalition members downplaying chances of an Israeli peace deal with the Palestinians, telling Israel Radio on Thursday he believed the other side was not yet ready for statehood or even expanded autonomy.

“The Palestinians are not even negotiation partners because they continuously torpedo attempts to resume peace talks and reject Israel’s repeated calls to meet without preconditions,” said Akunis, who is considered a close ally and political protégé of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

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