The Palestinian National Authority (PNA) on Monday accused Israel of exporting its crisis with Washington to the Palestinians.

"The Israeli government tries to export its crisis with the United States over the two-state solution and freezing the settlement to the PNA," said Nabil Abu Rdineh, a spokesman to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.

"Israel tries to create pretexts and justifications to loose time and obstruct international efforts, specially the US moves, towards pushing the peace process," added the spokesman.

His statements were made in response to Israeli Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman who questioned on Monday the legitimacy and power of Abbas.

"Lieberman's statements are a serious indication that the Israeli government is still evading the recognition of a future Palestinian statehood," Abu Rdineh said.

Lieberman, whose government has rejected US calls to freeze Jewish settlement in the West Bank, told Israeli radio that "Abu Mazen (Abbas) isn't exactly legitimate" and should not raise demands.

There are no signs of restarting the long-stalled Israeli-Palestinian peace talks though international community has been exerting efforts.

The Palestinians blame the hard-line Israeli government, led by hawkish Benjamin Netanyahu, for delaying the talks due to its refusal to end the settlement construction.

(Xinhua News Agency July 14, 2009)