Israeli official: Palestinian state already exists

Israeli Minister for Jerusalem Affairs Haim Ramon stated that if any change takes place in the signed agreement with the Palestinians, the two sides must agree on it, adding that no unilateral steps will be taken.

He said that if Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak wants to make any change, he will try to convince the Palestinian president to agree to it, and he will work to improve the chance to achieve a better peace.

He said the Palestinian state's existence is an accomplished fact, yet it is the restrictions that will be imposed on it, most of which will be security restrictions which will be debated in final status negotiations.