Netanyahu urges world leaders to oppose recognition of a Palestinian State

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has recently sent a personal letter to over 40 heads of state across the globe in Africa and Latin America urging them to oppose the Palestinians'' request for statehood at the UN in September. Yedioth Aharonoth daily reported Monday that Netanyahu despatched a number of his ministers to the leaders of these countries urging them not to recognize the statehood of Palestine when debated at the UN in September. Some of Netanyahu''s letters were delivered by ministers, among them Moshe Yaalon who visited Peru and Brazil, Dan Meridor who visited Mexico and Jamaica and Yossi Peled who traveled to Guatemala, Costa Rica and Uruguay,. Bank of Israel Governor Stanley Fischer personally delivered the prime minister''s letter to the new president of the Ivory Coast Alassane Ouattara, with whom he is closely acquainted. Netanyahu also discussed the matter with many leaders over the phone. The letters were drafted based on the nature of the relationship Israel has each nation, but the main message remained unchanged - a unilateral recognition of a Palestinian state will harm the peace process. In one of the letters obtained by Yedioth Aharonoth, it is stated "Ahead of the gathering of the UN General Assembly in September, I ask you to oppose a unilateral recognition of a Palestinian state. Regardless of the path the Palestinians choose, their UN bid is an attempt to avoid negotiations that are based on mutual compromise. It also violates existing agreements between the two sides and places in doubt the option of direct negotiations - which is the only way to solve this conflict." Other than Netanyahu, Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman, his deputy Danny Ayalon and Foreign Ministry officials are active in their efforts, holding phone conversations and meetings with heads of state, parliament members, ambassadors and those who play a role in shaping public opinion. According to senior diplomatic officials, "Israel is sending emissaries to all parts of the world with messages from Netanyahu. It is a very serious effort led by Netanyahu. Any Israeli minister, ambassador or senior diplomat that travels to another country is asked to take this letter. We are covering all continents."