Danon on Palestinian Security Council move: There are no shortcuts to peace

“The only way to promote negotiations starts by them condemning terrorism and stopping the incitement, and ends with direct negotiations between the two sides,” says Danon.

By DANIELLE ZIRI
Danny Danon addressing the UN Security Council, October 22, 2015 (photo credit: UN PHOTO/KIM HAUGHTON)
Danny Danon addressing the UN Security Council, October 22, 2015
(photo credit: UN PHOTO/KIM HAUGHTON)
NEW YORK - “The Palestinians must understand that there are no shortcuts,” Israel’s Ambassador to the United Nations Danny Danon said on Thursday in reaction to reports of a Palestinian Security Council draft resolution condemning Israeli building in the West Bank and Jerusalem as an obstacle to peace.
According to reports citing Western diplomats and senior Palestinian officials, the Palestinian Authority is circulating the resolution, which has been in the works since the beginning of the year, to UN Security Council members.
The reports also state that PA President Mahmoud Abbas is hoping to bring it to a vote in two weeks.
In his statement Danny Danon stressed that “the only way to promote negotiations starts by them condemning terrorism and stopping the incitement, and ends with direct negotiations between the two sides.”
 “[The Palestinians] are continuing to deceive the international community by putting forward initiatives that do nothing to better the lives of either side of this conflict,” he said.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also reacted to the reports and said Abbas “is taking a step that will push negotiations further away.”
“The only way to advance peace is by direct negotiations and Abu Mazen is avoiding this,” the Israeli leader said, using Abbas’ nom de guerre. “The Palestinians educate their children on a daily basis that the settlements are Tel Aviv, Haifa and Acre.”
The Security Council last voted on such a resolution in February 2011. It was approved but vetoed by the United States.
JTA contributed to this report.