Israel's United Nations Ambassador Danny Danon called out Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas for "running away" after he addressed the U.N. Security Council in New York City on Tuesday before Danon could respond.
During his remarks, Abbas called on other countries to recognize a Palestinian state and for a "multilateral international mechanism" to direct the peace process rather than the U.S.
Many observers in the room gave Abbas a round of applause after he finished speaking. He then proceeded to leave with his entourage.
After Abbas' speech, it was Danon's turn to respond.
"I expected Mr. Abbas to stay with us and have a dialogue," Danon said. "Unfortunately, he's once again running away."
"Look what just happened in this room," Danon continued. "Mr. Abbas came in, he put his demands on the table, and he left. And he's expecting you to deliver the results. It's not going to work that way. The only way to move forward is to have direct negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians."
Danon then said that Abbas has refused to meet with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for the past seven and a half years to "negotiate peace."
"Yet, during that same time, has made seven trips here to the United Nations," Danon added. "Today, once again, rather than driving just 12 minutes between Ramallah to Jerusalem, he has chosen to fly 12 hours to New York to avoid the possibility of peace."
"Mr. Abbas, you have made it clear with your words and with your actions, that you are no longer a part of the solution; you are the problem," Danon said.
Israel and the United States often criticize the U.N. for having an anti-Israel bias.