Netanyahu: Palestinian move at UN will lead to Hamas takeover in West Bank

Prime Minister Netanyahu says Israel is not threatened by unilateral steps taken at the UN by the Palestinians.

Netanyahu and Abbas (photo credit: REUTERS)
Netanyahu and Abbas
(photo credit: REUTERS)
The unilateral move by the Palestinian's at the UN on Wednesday will lead to Hamas taking over the West Bank, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Thursday evening while lighting candles for the third night of Hannuka at his office.
"Abbas thinks that by taking unilateral steps he threatens us; he doesn't understand that their result will be Hamas taking over the West Bank," Netanyahu said.
"We will never allow this and will never accept unilateral diktats. We will always protect our security."
 
Jordan formally submitted to the United Nations Security Council on Wednesday a draft resolution calling for peace between Israel and the Palestinians within one year and an Israeli withdrawal from the West Bank by the end of 2017.
The Palestinian-drafted resolution was formally submitted to the 15-member council, which means it could be put to a vote as soon as 24 hours later, but it does not guarantee it will happen. Some drafts formally submitted have never been voted.
Diplomats say negotiations on the text could take days or weeks. Jordan's UN envoy Dina Kawar said she hoped the council could reach a unanimous decision on the resolution.
Reuters contributed to this report.