Israel: The Palestinians' UN bid alienates peace away from the region

The Israeli government stated that the Palestinian bid at the United Nations alienates peace away from the region and that the Palestinians should realize that they cannot achieve peace in the Middle East except through direct negotiations and not through unilateral steps. Radio Israel quoted the Israeli cabinet's secretary Tesfai Hawsers who said today that the Palestinian move constitutes an essential breach of the international agreements signed between the Palestinian Authority and Israel and violates the rules and allows the Israeli government to take any steps it deems necessary to protect its interests. On the other hand, political sources in Occupied Jerusalem admitted that the diplomatic battle waged by Israel failed to dissuade European countries from voting in favor of the Palestinian request because of the desire of these countries to reinforce Abu Mazin's position after the latest Israeli offensive on Gaza Strip. Former Israeli premier, Ehud Olmert, said that he believes that there is nothing to cause Israel to challenge the Palestinian request at the United Nations and that granting the Palestinians the status of a non-UN member observer state would help lay down the foundation for the two-states' solution hence Israel should conduct talks with the Palestinian side on this basis.