Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has called on the Chairman of the Palestinian Authority Mahmoud Abbas to open direct negotiations in New York, which would continue in Jerusalem and Ramallah. According to a statement of Israeli foreign ministry, received by Prasar Bharti in Dubai today, Netanyahu proposed to President Abbas to begin peace negotiations instead of wasting time on futile unilateral measures. He added that the only way to achieve peace is through direct negotiations and not via declarations at the UN. President Mahmoud Abbas has vowed to seek U.N. membership for the Palestinian state from the Security Council in the current session.