A look ahead at Palestine’s application to the UN to be recognized as an official country;
Slowly,the Palestinians are getting closer to becoming a recognized state. Their application to the UN Security Council (which was set to be sent by the 23rdof September) looks like it will be rebuffed by a US veto. It is more and more likely however that they will then go to the UN General Assembly, in which theodds are that the Palestinians will win by a huge majority.
They look to receive an ‘observer’ status, which would be the same as the position given to the Vatican. This is the one stage shortly before full membership (which can only be received if the Security Council – comprising of the UK, US,Russia, China and France – agree).
In the real scheme of things, it doesn’t seem like it would make an overwhelming difference to the Palestinians, but it would send them on their way to becoming a truly diplomatic state. Why then, is it not being encouraged?
The principle of things seems to be obvious; the Palestinians deserve a state. It is hard to see why any country trying to act as a peacemaker – all eyes on Barak Obama –should veto a proposal which edges Palestine closer to statehood.
The procedure of the UN politics is tricky and unless the last minute talks show something dramatic, the points in favour of securing an ‘observer’ status certainly outweigh the negatives. Israel’s government suggests that Palestinian statehood is premature and instead of going to the UN, the Palestinians should go back to square one and back to the negotiating table. Obama, who is more than eager to assert his pro-Israel views before the US general elections next year, seems likely to veto even the ‘observer’ status option.
This argument that Palestine should go back to the drawing board with Israel to talk about their land demarcations seems ludicrous. Why in the world should a change in a status with the UN stop themstill meeting and negotiating a deal?
Should the Palestinians appeal for full UN membership be blocked, Mr Abbas’ best option would be to rapidly change to ask
for an ‘observer’ status. His actions henceforth should be to agree to refrain from trying to get Israel into the International Criminal Court for its past doings. It is helping neither country and causing more harm than good – it seems time now, for him to let go of the past and help to shape the future of his nation.
I firmly believe that the Palestinians deserve a state of their own. Their beliefs and those of their Israelite neighbors are entirely compatible if someone can make them work in harmony. Through his intransigence, Mr. Netanyahu (Israel’s prime minister) has played into the hands of those who could destroy Israel. However, in trying to veto the Palestinian appeal at the UN, American is helping extremists on both sides.
Mr. Abbas, after this appeal to the UN, has one final job. That is to tell the people of his country that the refugees are never likely to return to Israel. Ultimately, that is the price of partition.
The time now has come for both sides to acknowledge the other, and for this bloodshed and animosity to be laid to rest. Hopefully one day, the time will come when the price of hope to secure votes for an election, won’t be paid by a country that are only looking to belong.
Yes, I’m looking at you Mr. Obama.
Aarya Mishra
