Palestinians won't gain independence through unilateral steps -

TEL-AVIV, September 17 (Itar-Tass) -- The Palestinians' attempts to
gain recognition of their statehood through unilateral steps will not lead
to peace, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Friday,
commenting on a statement by the head of the Palestinian National
Authority, Mahmoud Abbas, to seek the recognition of the Palestinian state
at the United Nations.
"The Palestinians have chosen the wrong path," Netanyahu said in a
statement released by his office. "In an attempt to put pressure on Israel
they have been taking unilateral steps at the UN," said the Israeli prime
minister. "If the PNA leadership thinks that in this way it can force Tel
Aviv into further concessions, it is mistaken. This path will not lead to
peace and would not benefit the Palestinians."
Netanyahu said that "Israel still insists that the path towards a
Palestinian state lies only through bilateral negotiations, which the
parties should begin without preconditions."
Earlier, he announced that he intended to go to New York to personally
address the UN General Assembly and to present to the international
community his position on the issue of recognizing the Palestinian state.