The United States will continue to act against Palestinian attempts to
gain recognition through the United Nations, and if necessary will use
its veto to that end, US ambassador to Israel Daniel Shapiro said
Monday.
Speaking at the Netanya Academic College, Shapiro said
that there are no shortcuts to peace in the Middle East, and the
Palestinians must return to direct negotiations with Israel without
preconditions, on the basis of what was outlined by US President Barack
Obama.
In an interview with Palestinian news agency Ma'an
on Monday, Abbas blamed the stalled peace negotiations on Israeli
settlement activity in the West Bank, adding that Israel is working
towards maintaining the status quo.
The PA president is set to deliver a long-anticipated letter
to Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu on Tuesday, which will include a
warning that the two-state solution could collapse unless Israel changes
its current policies.
During his speech, Shapiro stated that the
US cut the funding of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and
Cultural Organization (UNESCO) after it recognized Palestine as a
member-state.
Khaled Abu Toameh contributed to this report.
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