JERUSALEM, Nov. 16 (Xinhua) -- Israeli government on Thursday dismissed a new Middle East peace initiative proposed by three European countries which called for an international conference, saying what it wanted direct negotiation with relevant parties.

    "The new initiative was most likely Spanish ideas that were not coordinated with the EU or Israel," a Foreign Ministry spokeswoman told Xinhua, commenting on the initiative put forward earlier by Spain, France and Italy.

    "Israel's policy is based on direct communication between all the parties involved," she added.

    Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero announced the initiative at a summit in Spain with French President Jacques Chirac. He said that the plan would be presented to an EU summit next month and that he hoped to win the backing of Britain and Germany as well.

    The initiative called for an immediate cessation of all forms of violence at both sides and an exchange of prisoners. It also urged an international peace conference to be held.

    Besides, it called for the formation of a national unity government by the Palestinians and an international mission in Gaza to monitor a cease-fire.

    In responding to the proposal, the Palestinian National Authority (PNA) expressed its welcome to the conference.