PM: UN recognition of Palestine will harm future peace
LAST UPDATED: 08/10/2011 18:21
Netanyahu meets US Democratic congressmen delegation, says Israel committed to peace through negotiations without preconditions.
Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu Photo: REUTERS/Charles Dharapak
Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu told a delegation of US Democratic congressmen visiting the country Wednesday that he is committed to peace with the Palestinians to be achieved through direct negotiations without preconditions, Israel Radio reported.
According to the prime minister, if the United Nations makes a unilateral recognition of a Palestinian state at the General Assembly this September, it will harm any future chances of achieving a peaceful solution.
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The
current economic crisis in the US will have no impact at all on US
financial assistance to Israel, US Congressman Steny Hoyer (D-MD) said
Thursday. However, the Democratic Whip, is leading the delegation of 26
US congressmen on a one week visit to Israel and the Palestinian
Authority.
At a press conference in Jerusalem, Hoyer said he
wanted to make it "very clear" that no financial challenges faced in the
US "will have any adverse effect on American determination to meet its
promise to Israel in the form of aid for its qualitative [military]
superiority, or for its economic security."
Hoyer said he did not
believe that in any way the financial challenges confronting America
"would have any adverse effect on the economic relationship, or
assistance, we give to Israel." Hoyer said this assessment is bipartisan
and that a similar message will be brought to Israel next week when
House Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-VA) will head up two republican
delegations, numbering 55 congressmen, that will visit the country.
