Israel must create peace, official says

JERUSALEM, Nov. 19 (UPI) -- Israel must come up with its own peace plan with the Palestinians rather than wait for other plans, Israel's second most powerful politician said Sunday.

Speaking ahead of a weekly cabinet meeting, Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni said working with Palestinian officials would let Israel formulate a plan that would secure Israeli interests, while still accommodating Palestinian concerns, Ha'aretz reported.

She urged Israel to begin serious talks with the Palestinian Authority to end the diplomatic vacuum.

Livni's comments came after Spanish Foreign Minister Miguel Angel Moratinos said a new peace initiative drafted by Spain, France and Italy was not presented to Israel for fear Israel would dismiss it prematurely.

Separately Sunday, Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert dismissed a United Nations resolution condemning the killing of some 20 Palestinians in Gaza by Israel earlier this month.