BERLIN, April 20, 2008 (WAFA) - The well-known Jewish musician Daniel Barenboim has sharply criticized Israel's treatment of the Palestinians.

In an interview published Sunday in a newspaper published by the German parliament, Barenboim said that while he was pessimistic of a solution to the Middle East conflict in the short term, he was more optimistic over the longer term.

'Israel, as an occupying power, was obliged to attend to the quality of life of the Palestinians under its control, said Barenboim, who holds Israeli citizenship along with others.

'What have we done? Nothing. The fact is that we have created a situation that has taken us to where we are today.'

Barenboim said a one-state solution for Israelis and Palestinians was unacceptable and that the proposed two-state solution would not work under current circumstances.