Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday ordered all ministries to cease cooperation with their Palestinian counterparts, as the sides increase tit-for-tat moves while U.S.-brokered negotiations falter.
The measure came after Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas asked last week to join 15 international organizations and treaties, seen by Israel as a step towards recognition of a Palestinian state.
U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry has been growing increasingly frustrated with the talks he is trying to broker.
At a U.S. Senate committee hearing on Tuesday he sharply criticized Israel over delays in releasing Palestinian prisoners and its subsequent announcement of 700 new settlement units in eastern Jerusalem.
A senior Israeli official said the decision to cut all high-level contact with Palestinian departments would not affect negotiations, which have been given a deadline for the end of the month.
The decision also does not include security and humanitarian offices.
Published - April 09, 2014 05:15 pm IST
