Sen. Lindsey Graham backed Jerusalem’s demand for direct negotiations with the PA, threatening serious repercussions if the UN supports Palestinian unilateral moves.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met Saturday night with Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina to discuss the latest regional developments, including the pending Palestinian UN bid and the Iranian nuclear threat.

The Palestinians are plowing ahead with their bid to gain statehood at the UN, but Graham warned the UN that support for Palestinian unilateral diplomatic moves could have dire consequences.

Graham, who is slated to become the chairman of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on the Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs, which deals with funding issues, told the UN that they can expect “a violent push back by the Congress if there’s any effort by the UN Security Council (UNSC) to set the terms of peace negotiations, avoiding direct talks. President Obama in 2011 said the United Nations was not the right venue when it came to discussing the peace process in reaching a two-state solution. I agree with what President Obama said in 2011.”

“Any effort by the French, the Jordanians or anyone to avoid direct negotiations between the Israelis and the Palestinians over the peace process, anyone who tries to take this to the UN Security Council, there will be a violent backlash by Congress that could include suspending funding to the United Nations. Congress will not sit back and allow the United Nations to take over the peace process,” Graham stated.

Netanyahu spoke of the immediate threats facing Israel, the first coming from the Palestinians.

PA Compares Israel to ISIS

“The chief Palestinian negotiator, Saeb Erekat, has compared Israel to ISIS,” the Israeli leader declared. “This is the same Palestinian Authority that joins hands with Hamas, incites constantly against Israel, the kind of incitement that has led to an attack that we witnessed just two days ago of a Molotov cocktail thrown at a little girl…But the same Palestinian Authority is going to try to bring to the UN Security Council a resolution that seeks to impose on us conditions that will undermine our security.”

Netanyahu reiterated Israel’s firm position, saying:  “I want to assure you that we will stand firmly and reject such a dictate. We always have; we always will.”

Erekat told AFP on Tuesday that Israel was like the Islamic State (IS or ISIS) terror organization: “Netanyahu is trying to disseminate fear of the Islamic State led by Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, but Netanyahu forgets that he himself leads the Jewish state. He wants us to call Israel the Jewish state and supports terrorist settlers who kill, destroy and burn mosques and churches… like Baghdadi’s men kill and terrorize.”

Stronger Sanctions Against Iran

Netanyahu then turned to the issue of the looming Iranian nuclear threat. “The second great challenge comes from Iran,” the Israeli leader said. “Iran today conducted an exercise with a suicide drone. I don’t have to convince you, Senator, that the most important task before us is to prevent this dangerous regime from having nuclear weapons. And I believe that what is required are more sanctions, and stronger sanctions. And I welcome your leadership in this effort. I think this is something that is important for the peace of the world. You know, there are moments in history when nations have to stand firm. Israel stands firm on both sides, and on both issues.”

Israel fears that the Obama administration will strike a bad deal with the Iranians in an attempt to win diplomatic points.

“I would love nothing more than a diplomatic solution to the Iranian nuclear ambitions,” he said. However, he understands that “sanctions are what got Iran to the table, and it will be the only thing that brings them to a deal that we can all live with.”

“It is important to let the Iranians know that from an American point of view, sanctions are alive and well. You will see a very vigorous Congress, when it comes to Iran,” Graham asserted. “You will see a Congress making sure sanctions are real and will be reimposed at the drop of a hat. You will see Congress wanting to have a say about any final deal.”

By: United with Israel

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