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United Nations

Israel's Ambassador to the US on Palestine Statehood Bid

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

As the United Nations prepares to convene for a discussion on Palestine's statehood bid, Israel's Ambassador to the US, Michael Oren, has emphasized that direct negotiations between Israelis and Palestinians are the only way to achieve peace, citing the Palestinians' return to the negotiating table as the key to averting a growing crisis. Despite international pressure and opposition from the US, the Palestinians plan to formally request statehood on Friday at the UN. The US and others are standing by Israel, strongly opposing this proposal, but the international community seems to be increasingly isolated, with European leaders and many others supporting the Palestinians.

Key Takeaways:

  • Israel's Ambassador to the US, Michael Oren, emphasizes that direct negotiations between Israelis and Palestinians are the only way to achieve peace, citing the Palestinians' return to the negotiating table as the key to averting a growing crisis.
  • Prime Minister Netanyahu has offered to meet Mahmoud Abbas anyplace, anytime without preconditions to discuss all the issues leading to a legitimate Palestinian state.
  • The settlements take up less than 2% of the West Bank, but the Palestinians claim that Prime Minister Netanyahu's policies have shut off whole areas, encroaching on land they had hoped would be part of their borders.
  • President Abbas has stated that he intends to use UN statehood status to "more vigorously prosecute the war against Israel" and not to advance the peace process.
  • Israel expressed regret and was willing to pay compensation for the deaths of the Turks on the flotilla, but Turkey rejected the UN report and continues to take an aggressive posture toward Israel.
  • Israel is not looking for confrontation with Turkey, but rather wants to repair the damage and get back on a positive course in their relationship.

Statistics:

  • The settlements take up less than 2% of the West Bank.
  • Prime Minister Netanyahu froze all settlement building for 10 months, but the Palestinians still didn't come to the negotiating table.

Sources:

  • Federal News Service, Inc., Ste. 500, 1000 Vermont Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20005 USA.

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