(VOA News) Robert Berger - Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Friday the Palestinians' plan to seek statehood recognition at the UN is "futile." Netanyahu accused the Palestinians of "consistently evading" negotiations and called on the Palestinian Authority "to abandon unilateral steps." Netanyahu's spokesman, Mark Regev, says that by bypassing talks and going to the UN, the Palestinians are violating previous peace agreements, and that could result in Israeli sanctions. "They committed themselves to solving all issues of contention with Israel at the negotiating table," he said. "And you've seen very senior people in my government say that if the Palestinians feel free to abrogate their commitments, surely Israel should at least consider doing the same." The Palestinians could also be on a collision course with the U.S., which backs Israel's position that direct negotiations are the only way to achieve Palestinian independence and peace.
2011-09-19 00:00:00Full ArticleBACK Visit the Daily Alert Archive