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The Route to Palestinian Statehood Runs Through Jerusalem, Not New York

(Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs) Amb. Ron Prosor - Israel's UN Ambassador Ron Prosor told the UN General Assembly on Thursday: I stand before you tall and proud because I represent the world's one and only Jewish state - a state built in the Jewish people's ancient homeland, with its eternal capital Jerusalem as its beating heart. We are a nation with deep roots in the past and bright hopes for the future. Israel is a nation that never hesitates to defend itself, but will always extend its hand for peace. President Anwar Sadat famously stood in the Egyptian parliament in Cairo 35 years ago and stated that he would go "to the ends of the earth" to make peace with Israel. The People of Israel wait for a Palestinian leader that is willing to follow in the path of President Sadat. The world waits for President Abbas to speak the truth that peace can only be achieved through negotiations by recognizing Israel as a Jewish state. It waits for him to tell them that peace must also address Israel's security needs and end the conflict once and for all. When Israel faced an Arab leader who wanted peace, we made peace. Three months ago, Israel's Prime Minister stood in this very hall and extended his hand in peace to President Abbas. He reiterated that his goal was to create a solution of two states for two peoples. I have never heard President Abbas say the phrase "two states for two peoples" because the Palestinian leadership has never recognized that Israel is the nation-state of the Jewish people - what this very body recognized 65 years ago. This resolution violates a fundamental binding commitment that all outstanding issues in the peace process would only be resolved in direct negotiations. This resolution sends a message that the international community is willing to turn a blind eye to peace agreements. For the people of Israel, it raises a simple question: why continue to make painful sacrifices for peace, in exchange for pieces of paper that the other side will not honor? There is only one route to Palestinian statehood and that route does not run through this chamber in New York. That route runs through direct negotiations between Jerusalem and Ramallah. The truth is that Israel wants peace, and the Palestinians are avoiding peace.
2012-11-30 00:00:00
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