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B’nai B’rith International commends a Parliamentary Assembly committee in the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) for rejecting a Palestinian bid for observer status on July 7.

“The OSCE Parliamentary Assembly’s First Committee made the right decision. However, we remain concerned about the sustained Palestinian intention to bypass direct negotiations in favor of unilateral recognition of Palestinian statehood,” B’nai B’rith International President Allan J. Jacobs said.

Twenty-eight parliamentarians voted against observer status for the Palestinians, with 22 voting in favor and seven abstaining. The vote was taken at a meeting of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly’s General Committee on Political Affairs and Security, or First Committee.

“This decision demonstrates that many officials in the OSCE region understand the need for the Palestinians to sit down at the negotiating table with Israel to discuss and resolve borders, security, and other crucial issues before the international community can consider recognition of a Palestinian state,” said B’nai B’rith International Executive Vice President Daniel S. Mariaschin.