PALESTINIANS PUSH FOR STATEHOOD AT UN

By David Dolan

Despite intense efforts during the past few months, the Israeli government, backed by the United States and the European Union, did not succeed in stopping Palestinian Authority leader Mahmoud Abbas from taking his unilateral statehood proposal to the United Nations in late September.  Now all anxiously wait to see what the results will be and how the action might affect Israel, the region and the world.  Few expect the one-sided statehood bid will make things any better on the ground, with many stating just the opposite—it could open a can of worms that might plunge this turbulent region into new spasms of violence and possibly even warfare.  It will also further harm the regional standing of those countries who have already stated their opposition to the move, including the United States and Great Britain.  Read more …

UN SET TO SUPPORT PA MOVE

As of this writing, the final outcome of the Palestinian Authority’s United Nations statehood bid is still unclear.  The PA’s decision to take their request for full statehood recognition first to the 15 member Security Council, where the United States has pledged to veto the move if necessary, will only prolong the UN process.  Some UN officials said a final vote on the issue might not be held for several more weeks.  There is even a possibility the PA proposal will be tabled, although most observers said that was unlikely given the rousing reception Mahmoud Abbas received when he presented his request for statehood status before the General Assembly. Read more …

THE NATIONS LINE UP

However the Security Council member states vote, most analysts expect the Palestinian Authority will end up taking its statehood bid to the over 190 countries represented in the General Assembly.  In that much larger chamber, there is no doubt the PA will win overwhelming support, with only about sixty countries expected to either abstain or vote against the Abbas proposal.  Still, a General Assembly resolution is far less weighty than a Security Council endorsement (actual statehood status at the UN can only be granted by the Security Council), which is less declarative and more legally binding.  Nevertheless, a General Assembly vote of approval will at the very least give Abbas a moral victory, and also have several other effects the PA has been striving to achieve for several years. Read more …

ALWAYS THE VICTIM

To rapturous applause from most of the UN delegates, Abbas laid out his case for immediate statehood recognition on September 23^rd.  However in the opening statement of a speech characterized as hateful and inciting by many Israeli analysts, the PA leader uttered something that many analysts said underscored the absurd nature of the PA’s position: “The Question of Palestine is intricately linked with the United Nations via the resolutions adopted by its various organs and agencies and via the essential and lauded role of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East – UNRWA – which embodies the international responsibility towards the plight of Palestine refugees, who are the victims of al-nakba (Arabic for “the catastrophe”)  that occurred in 1948.” Read more …

NETANYAHU RESPONDS

To no ones surprise, most General Assembly delegates had left the hall before Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu gave his address a little over one hour later.  This did not stop him from delivering a heartfelt response to the PA leader’s remarks.  Although many commentators also opined that it was clear from his words and stand that he is more than weary with the rubber-stamp anti-Israel world body, where he began his public career as Israel’s ambassador in the early 1980s.

Netanyahu began his speech by alluding to the 1947 UN Partition Plan which the Arab world violently rejected:  “Ladies and gentlemen, Israel has extended its hand in peace from the moment it was established 63 years ago.  On behalf of Israel and the Jewish people, I extend that hand again today.  I extend it to the people of Egypt and Jordan, with renewed friendship for neighbors with whom we have made peace. I extend it to the people of Turkey, with respect and good will.  I extend it to the people of Libya and Tunisia, with admiration for those trying to build a democratic future.  I extend it to the other peoples of North Africa and the Arabian Peninsula, with whom we want to forge a new beginning.  I extend it to the people of Syria, Lebanon and Iran, with awe at the courage of those fighting brutal repression.  But most especially, I extend my hand to the Palestinian people, with whom we seek a just and lasting peace.”

The Israeli leader then went on to note that the UN is often “a theatre of the absurd,” noting that “Gaddafi’s Libya chaired the UN Commission on Human Rights; Saddam’s Iraq headed the UN Committee on Disarmament.  You might say, ‘that’s the past.’  Well, here’s what’s happening now, right now, today.  Hizbullah-controlled Lebanon now presides over the UN Security Council.  This means, in effect, that a terror organization presides over the body entrusted with guaranteeing the world’s security.  You couldn’t make this thing up.” Read more …

In these dark and troubled times, it is good to declare anew with the ancient psalmist that “The Lord reigns!  He is clothed with majesty!  The Lord has clothed and girded Himself with strength!” (Psalm 93:1).

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DAVID DOLAN is a Jerusalem-based author and journalist who has lived and worked in Israel since 1980.