US rejects Palestinian statehood plan

US State Department spokesman Mark Toner

Source: Press TV
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/175763.html

US State Department spokesman Mark Toner has reiterated Washington's rejection of Palestinian plans to seek UN recognition of an independent state.

“We don't believe it's a good idea, we don't believe it's helpful," AFP quoted the US State Department spokesman as saying on Tuesday.

The Palestinians are expected to seek a UN vote on the recognition of an independent state in September.

US-brokered talks between Israel and the Palestinians resumed in September 2010. The talks collapsed shortly afterwards when Israel refused to extend a moratorium on settlement building in the occupied territories.

Israel has insisted that all issues, including the settlements, should be hammered out in direct talks.

Meanwhile, Israeli media reports indicate that Israeli Premier Benjamin Netanyahu is considering other proposals, including an 'interim deal' or partial withdrawal from the occupied West Bank.

Palestinians, however, have rejected any partial agreement and called for a comprehensive solution to the illegal Israeli settlements.

Palestinians argue that the settlement projects, which contravene UN Security Council Resolutions 446, 452, and 465, are aimed at preventing the establishment of an independent Palestinian state with East al-Quds (Jerusalem) as its capital.

Israel occupied and annexed East al-Quds in 1967 and later annexed it in a move never recognized by the international community and the United Nations.