Rumsfeld cites 'tough life' of Palestinians

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- The Palestinian people have a "tough life," Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld said Friday, contrasting their living conditions with the "energy and vitality" of a "free" Israel.

In an interview with CNN's Larry King, Rumsfeld made clear his disapproval of Palestinian suicide bombings, saying they undermine the peace process. But he expressed some sympathy for Palestinians, saying their gross national product on a per capita basis pales in comparison with that of Israelis.

"If you think about the Palestinian people, they have had a tough life," Rumsfeld said. He said Palestinian Authority President Yasser Arafat has not been able to significantly improve conditions for most Palestinians.

"The Arafat leadership has not been able to deliver any land. It's not delivered any economic prospects for the people," Rumsfeld said.

Rumsfeld, who served as Mideast envoy during the Reagan administration 20 years ago, said solving the crisis between the Israelis and the Palestinians would take time, but he said peace could be secured.

"You have to have hope and say, yes, ultimately something is going to happen, so people decide they're better off living in peace than continuing to kill," Rumsfeld said.