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B’nai B’rith International praises U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-mMoon for reiterating his stance opposing the current Palestinian plan of action in the world body.  

The Palestinians are now aiming to gain a foothold in 16 U.N. agencies, but Ban, in an Associated Press interview, noted this route is “not beneficial for Palestine and not beneficial for anybody” as all U.N. agencies need to be both financially and politically sustainable.

“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 encourage the Palestinians to realize that circumventing direct talks is harmful to peace negotiations.”

The secretary-general reiterated the world body’s support for an independent Palestinian state but cautioned the Palestinian Authority not to rush to join U.N. affiliates. Instead, he hopes they would wait until the U.N. Security Council has made a decision on whether to admit the Palestinians as a member state.

“The only route to two states living next to each other in peace will be through direct negotiations between the Israelis and Palestinians. Gaining international recognition without first defining the parameters of statehood will only exacerbate tensions in the Middle East,” said B’nai B’rith International Executive Vice President Daniel S. Mariaschin.