US dismisses UN conference in New York as a 'publicity stunt'

The U.S. State Department has strongly criticized a UN conference in New York focused on a two-state solution between Palestine and Israel. State Department spokeswoman Tammy Bruce called the conference an "unproductive and ill-timed" publicity stunt, especially given delicate diplomatic efforts underway. Bruce stated that the U.S. believes the conference will only prolong the war, embolden Hamas, undermine peace efforts, and reward obstruction. The U.S. and Israel are both boycotting the conference.