Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu said that Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas is determined to bring Palestinian statehood to a UN vote in September.
"Abbas made a strategic decision to go to the UN, because the price for him will be low," Netanyahu said. "For us, recognition of a state will only pass through the security council."
He added: "We are working to ensure a US veto in the UN Security Council, but that will not prevent a majority in the General Assembly."
According to the prime minister, "unilateral steps [by the Palestinians] will distance peace, not bring it closer."
Netanyahu said "we are interacting with the US to put together a document [for an agreement with the Palestinians] using language from [US President Barack] Obama's second speech." Such a document would say that final borders would not be on pre-1967 lines.
"The Israeli goal is direct negotiations with the Palestinians, without preconditions," he explained. "There have been attempts to find a way to start talks, but it does not seem to have great chances."
"I am prepared to meet Abbas at any moment – even tonight," Netanyahu said. "However, this will not happen because the Palestinians want to go to the UN no matter what, and declare a state without making compromises."
The prime minister said that Israel is a "real partner" for peace, pointing out that Israel "proved its willingness to negotiate" by freezing construction in settlements and taking down checkpoints.
"No one can say that the Israeli side did not show willingness to negotiate, as opposed to the Palestinians, who have never been willing to compromise, even in the time of Oslo," Netanyahu said.
Netanyahu called reports that he stopped President Shimon Peres en route to Jordan for talks with Abbas "incorrect."
"Peres acts in full coordination with me – we meet before any trip, and he updates me after," the prime minister said.
Netanyahu also denied that Peres discussed pre-1967 borders as a basis for negotiations with Abbas.
Opposition leader Tzipi Livni (Kadima) told Netanyahu that "instead of blaming the whole world, you should look in the mirror."
"Your historical mistake of not listening to me and stopping negotiations after the elections lead to a colossal diplomatic failure that harms Israel's security interests – this is happening because of you," Livni said.
"You are harming our strategic relationship with the US in order to get applause in Israel. You are isolating Israel and the US. Because of you a Palestinian state will be declared without an agreement, and it is happening on your watch."
Netanyahu responded that "deep relationships have many layers," and said that Livni's "view on the situation is very narrow."
"US support for Israel crosses governments and parties. The roots of their support is very deep," he explained.
Netanyahu also mentioned Turkey, saying that the government is "checking whether or not to apologize."
An apology would "protect our soldiers, but will not prevent lawsuits from Turkish citizens," the prime minister explained.
"I expressed sorrow at the lives lost, but it is important to say that the soldiers acted in self-defense," Netanyahu added.
He also expressed optimism that the Palmer Committee's findings on last summer's flotilla incident will "put Israel in a better place."
Mofaz said that "Turkey has become a regional power, and will continue to gain power. It is important to ensure that we share interests."
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