Deputy Foreign Minister Danny Ayalon told the Palestinian Donors Conference held at the United Nations that Israel is interested in continuing to assist Palestinian economic development, but this position could be affected if the Palestinian Authority (PA) unilaterally declares a state.
"Future assistance and cooperation could be severely and irreparably compromised if the Palestinian leadership continues on its path of essentially acting in contravention of all signed agreements which also regulate existing economic relations between Israel and the Palestinian Authority," Ayalon told the conference, which was hosted by Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs, B. Lynn Pascoe, and chaired by Norwegian Foreign Minister Jonas Gahr Store.
Ayalon called on the international community to use its influence to call on the PA to refrain from taking unilateral steps damaging for the peace process. "The international community and especially donors to the Palestinian Authority should ask for minimal standards of diplomatic practice by the Palestinians," Ayalon said.
Ayalon laid out all of Israel's activities that have assisted the continued growth in Palestinian economy during the past few years, and how cooperation with Israel is essential for the Palestinian Authority's institution building. However, the Deputy Foreign Minister warned the Palestinians that all of this will be affected by the Palestinian initiative to bypass negotiations and impose their demands on the international community.