Harper is a true friend of Israel.

(Globe And Mail) — Stephen Harper is telling Palestinians to go back to the negotiating table with Israel if they want a sovereign state, rather than seeking recognition at the United Nations.

The Palestinian Authority’s campaign for a United Nations vote that would recognize their statehood — even if it has no effect on the ground in the West Bank and Gaza — is dominating discussions as world leaders descend on New York for the opening of the UN General Assembly.

Mr. Harper has made it clear that Canada will oppose the Palestinian bid, but he warned forcefully Tuesday that it could damage Mideast peace prospects, and appeared to put the onus on the Palestinian Authority to restart peace talks.

“I think there’s no likelihood of this initiative by the Palestinian Authority doing anything to further the peace process. I think it’s possible that it could be counter-productive,” Mr. Harper told reporters at UN headquarters in New York after a high-level conference on Libya.

The Palestinian representative in Ottawa, Linda Sobeh Ali, said Monday she has been disappointed by reports that Canada is lobbying 30 countries in what has been called a “like-minded” group, although she said details of Ottawa’s diplomatic efforts have remained unclear.

She argued that Canada will find itself in a minority in the world, and along with the United States lose credibility in the region. But she suggested Palestinian lobbying efforts have largely given up on Canada.