Israel threatens to cancel agreements with PA

Israeli ambassador to the US, Michael Oren, said Wednesday that Palestinian-US cooperation is in danger and all of Israel's agreements with the Palestinians will be canceled if they go to the United Nations to gain full membership of a Palestinian state within 1967 borders in September. Oren, in an interview with Foreign Policy magazine, said Israel will not abide by agreements signed with the Palestinians, adding, “there are agreements with the Palestinian Authority, not the Palestinian government; there are agreements for imports and exports, water and security cooperation.” He added that Palestinians will use UN recognition to prosecute Israel in international courts, and that recognizing a Palestinian state will reduce the chances to achieve peace. “We cannot negotiate with those who attack our legitimacy,” said Oren, warning that the UN bid will affect political, economic and legal relations between the Palestinians and the US. The ambassador revealed daily talks between Israel and the US in order to foil the Palestinian bid to gain UN membership. The magazine said the US has asked 71 countries not to recognize the Palestinian state.