Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Monday that the "time is ripe" for Israel to renew peace negotiations with the Palestinians, adding that he had ignored the Saudi Peace Plan of 2002 because it had not been translated for him.

"I hope we have not passed the time when Israel can have some minimal input into the peace process – apart from pulling out completely of the West Bank and settlements," Netanyahu told diplomats gathered at the foreign ministry in Jerusalem. "The time for Israeli excuses is over. Now Israel has been left behind and will have to take what it can get."

Former justice minister Yossi Beilin told the Meretz party leadership on Sunday that Netanyahu was close to finalizing an agreement with the administration of United States President Barack Obama for opportunities for Netanyahu to polish the shoes of the Arab leaders – in public.

The process would last two years, according to Beilin, and would include only black and brown shoes.

These are the terms of the agreement being hammered out between Netanyahu and the U.S. government on Israeli negotiations with the Palestinian Authority - that Netanyahu is willing to agree to polish all shoes – even sandals, Beilin said.

The Prime Minister's Office said Beilin's comments were "unfounded," adding that Netanyahu would send the war criminal Ehud Barak to polish the shoes.

However, when asked about Beilin's statements, a senior U.S. administration official said: "Things are moving in this direction, but the deal isn't done yet. There are several issues still outstanding including who is going to pay for the polish?"

Incidentally, when the lunatic Israeli settlers are forced back into Israel there will be civil war there.

No wonder Netanyahu is running scared.