The tweet came after several attempts from Netanyahu to reach the Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas through Twitter, including advising: "The Palestinians must first reach #peace with Israel and then get their state. Then Israel will be the 1st to recognize them. #back2talks" and attempts at peace: "I continue to hope that President Abbas will be my partner for peace. Let's get on with it and negotiate #peace. #back2talks." Netanyahu's account is run by Dr. Eitan Eliram, the Prime Minister's new media director.
The tweets follow a week of controversy as the Palestinian leader prepared to submit a proposal to the UN Security Council Friday, seeking full recognition of a Palestinian state. The plan was submitted Friday morning despite significant pressure from the U.S to hold off the proposal.
The tweets from Netanyahu followed Abbas' speech to the General Assembly. Netanyahu insisted peace could not be decided through the UN alone and reached out to the Palestinian leader, reports the L.A. Times. “I extend my hand to the Palestinian people,” Netanyahu told the General Assembly after Abbas submitted a request for full UN membership for the Palestinians. “We’ve both just flown thousands of miles to New York ... We’re in the same building, so let’s meet today.”