Israeli Minister of Defense, Ehud Barak, has said: “Israel must examine all the ways to avoid a confrontation between it and the Palestinian Authority.” This comes against the backdrop of the Palestinian Authority’s intention for the United Nations to recognize Palestine as an independent state. During his visit to the recruitment centre at the military base of “Tel-Hashomer” on Sunday morning, Barak stated that it is possible to reach understandings with the U.S. in this regard, as well as holding a dialogue with the Palestinian side. He pointed out that Israel is mobilizing the support that it enjoys from European countries. The Palestinian leadership plans to go to the General Assembly of the United Nations next September to demand to be recognized as a Palestinian state on the borders of June 1967, while Israel seeks to prevent the move. Speaking on the protest movement regarding the high cost of housing, Barak said: “The housing problems are real, and the government should find solutions for the long term.”