A U.N. vote will be risky for Palestinians
By Ziad J. Asali
The Daily Star
A potentially dangerous confrontation looms in September over the question of Palestinian statehood, one that threatens significant negative consequences for all parties. It is in the interests of all constructive actors to find a compromise that avoids such a confrontation.
Palestinians are impelled by frustration and despair about the impasse in the peace process – a frustration shared by many Israelis, Americans and others. It is, however, Palestinians who live under occupation, which gives them a justified sense that the status quo is intolerable. The diplomatic impasse has created a demand for any mechanism for progress; hence the appeal of approaching the United Nations with a request for membership.
But as Palestinians started pursuing this policy, several crucial facts should be considered: First, the United States has indicated unequivocally that it would veto in the Security Council a Palestinian application for U.N. membership, making such membership impossible at this time. Moreover, the U.S. Congress has sent a message that U.N. action on Palestinian statehood would result in a cutoff of U.S. aid, and Washington is the single biggest donor to the Palestinian Authority...READ MORE
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