B’nai B’rith International praises United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon for reiterating his stance opposing the current Palestinian pursuit of admittance to specialized U.N. agencies in advance of a Security Council decision regarding member-state status. The Palestinians are now aiming to gain a foothold in 16 U.N. agencies, but Ban, in an Associated Press interview, noted that this route is “not beneficial for Palestine and not beneficial for anybody.”
“Once again, the world body’s chief has restated his apprehension about the direction the Palestinians are taking,” said B’nai B’rith International President Allan J. Jacobs. “Hopefully, through Ban’s leadership, the international community can send a strong message to the Palestinians that circumventing direct talks is harmful to peace negotiations.”
“The only possible route to achieve an agreement will be through direct negotiations between the Israelis and Palestinians. Gaining international recognition without first defining the parameters of an agreement would only exacerbate tensions in the Middle East,” said B’nai B’rith International Executive Vice President Daniel S. Mariaschin.
News and 