PM in Rome: UN recognition of Palestinian state will harm peace effort

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said after meeting with his Italian counterpart, Silvio Berlusconi, that their conversation was an opportunity to strengthen ties between the two nations.

Netanyahu opened a press conference in Rome by calling Berlusconi a dear friend, who is also dear to the Jewish people. He said that a unilateral UN recognition of a Palestinian state will harm the peace efforts. He added that a peace accord requires concessions and negotiations, and that that a UN declaration will violate agreements between Israel and the Palestinians. (Ynet)