Israel Matzav

Deja vu all over again: 'Palestinians' to seek 'non-member state' status at UN

The 'Palestinian Authority' has decided to seek 'non-member state' status at the United Nations, reports Khaled Abu Toameh.

"President Abbas has decided to seek the status of non-member of the UN General Assembly in wake of Israel's refusal to accept the two-state solution and halt construction in the settlements," said a senior advisor to Abbas. "We hope that the US Administration won't try to block our effort." The official also voiced hope that the Arab ministers meeting in Doha would approve of the membership bid at the UN.

The US Administration has expressed strong opposition to Abbas's plan to return to the UN, particularly as the presidential election approaches, another Palestinian official told The Jerusalem Post.

The official said that Secretary of State Hilary Clinton, who met recently with Abbas, warned him that a renewed PA bid at the UN would prompt Washington to cut off financial aid to the Palestinians.

But the Palestinians, according to the official, believe that because of the upcoming US election, this is the right time to resume efforts to seek membership of the UN.

Abbas, who visited Cairo last week, told Egyptian newspaper editors that he was determined to seek UN recognition despite US opposition. He said that he would consult first with the Arab countries before setting a date for applying to the UN.

Abbas predicted that 133 countries would vote in favor of the PA application. He said that once Palestine becomes a non-member state of the UN, it will be an entity under Israeli occupation and the territories that were occupied in 1967 would no longer be considered disputed lands.

The Arab ministers are also expected to discuss the severe financial crisis facing the PA.

Abbas, according to his advisors, will urge the Arab countries to fulfill their financial pledges to the Palestinians.

And a cutoff in US aid would just exacerbate that crisis. Is the Arab League willing to make up for the US cutoff (which Obama would have to do at least until after the elections)? Will the UN admit 'Palestine' as a 'non-member state' at the cost of 25% of its budget (22% US, 3% Israel)? What could go wrong?

Labels: Abu Mazen, Palestinian state RIGHT NOW syndrome, United Nations

posted by Carl in Jerusalem @ 2:23 AM