Middle East News

[mewpadmin]

UN recognition of Palestine backed by Arab League

The Arab League announced that it would support the plan of the Palestinian National Authority (PNA) to seek a seat for a Palestinian state at the UN General Assembly. It made the decision at a summit in Doha, the capital of Qatar.

Foreign ministers and representatives of Jordan, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Morocco, Lebanon and Qatar discussed the merits and problems of the issue, and reached a favourable consensus.

For months, Palestinian diplomacy has tried to gain the support of the international community for the recognition of a Palestinian state within the 1967 borders. Various Western states have backed the initiative from the start (see Ariel Cohen, “An Israeli nightmare: peaceful diplomacy for a Palestinian state,” in AsiaNews, 8 January 2011). Now the Arab League is on board.

Israel opposes the proposal, which according to Israeli sources would jeopardise the Israeli-Palestinian dialogue, both publicly and privately. In order to torpedo the proposal, it has launched a behind-the-scene diplomatic offensive. The United States has announced already that it would veto the proposal in the Security Council to prevent it from reaching the General Assembly, scheduled for next month.

"Our request for UN permanent membership for the Palestinian State with 1967 borders and capital as Jerusalem doesn't aim any kind of confrontation or conflict but it is only to maintain the option of two states and to preserve the peace process," Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat said in Doha.

In fact, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas had told the New York Times why he was seeking this recognition (see “Mahmoud Abbas: At last, a Palestinian state after 60 years,” in AsiaNews, 18 May 2011).

Now, the PNA is planning non-violent marches in the West Bank next month to coincide with the annual meeting of the General Assembly.

In order to avoid possible clashes, the rallies will be held away from the borders with Israel and far from Jewish settlements.

Palestinian authorities also informed the Israeli military about their decision and pledged to work with latter to ensure security.

http://www.asianews.it/news-en/UN-recog ... 22298.html