From Sam Husseini’s website Washington Stakeout:
Big story this week was the Palestinian U.N. bid. Palestinian negotiator Hanan Ashrawi was on ABC’s “This Week” and Christiane Amanpour of questioning revolved around when the Palestinian delegation would resume talks with the Israelis that have gone on for decades.
I asked the opposite question: What are they going to do to make the U.N. state membership bid real instead of relying on more “negotiations”? Are they going to let the bid get bogged down in the Security Council, where the U.S. wields a veto or are they — as noted international lawyers have recommended — move it in short order to the General Assembly, where an overwhelming majority of countries favor Palestinian state membership?
South Sudan recently went from application for U.N. state membership to admission in three days. It has been reported that the Palestinian delegation has given the Security Council two weeks to act. Professor of international law at the University of Illinois College of Law in Champaign Francis Boyle has said that U.N. state membership could be obtained within three weeks.
Ashrawi stated they are considering going to the General Assembly, including using the Uniting for Peace resolution that the U.S. backed to get around the Soviet’s veto in the 1950s. She added: “If we see that the Security Council is stalling then certainly we will seek other options, yes.” But she did not specify a timeline.
Read more about Husseini’s exchange with Ashrawi here.
A very dynamic and poised woman.
Yesterday, NPR covered a brief statement by Ashrawi. Also a feature on the cancellation of the Oakland art exhibit featuring the work of Palestinian children from Gaza, and a debate between Peter Beinart and Steve Rosen, formerly of AIPAC. The debate was part of the On The Media Program. The slant of the coverage in all of these stories seemed to be a welcome departure from the norm for NPR. Israel’s image and its defenders took a hit in all of this coverage.
I suggest the UN General Assembly vote again and re-affirm the 1947 Partition Plan as it was, with the same strange borders, 55%-45% land ratio and all the Jerusalem region internationalized . This will make Israel understand that cheating time is over and make it negotiate in earnest.
Nothing can prevent the UNGA from re-affirming its old decision and henceforth the same resolution that made Israel legitimate will be from now on also the declaration of Palestinian independence.
Remember the violence the settlers provoked when they were removed from Gaza? This would be much worse. Just look at how the partition of India and Pakistan was achieved and what has been the result.
I know it sounds naive and impossible right now, but the one state solution, a democratic, secular state where all are equal regardless of religion and national origin would solve many problems. This way all could preserve their religious rights and the country could move away from the segregation which is costly for both, and an injustice for the Palestinian that cannot survive.
I know diehard Zionists would never accept this, but does a discriminatory state have anything to do with Jewish traditions? Theocracy is a medieval idea which is part of monarchy and inherently undemocratic.
Ashrawi is great representative . And when you look at her face you know she is a Palestinian. Those eyes. Noor al ain.
No shtetl walla from Bialystok.
The string at 4.25
Peaceful
non violent
legal
human
moral
That’s why I support the Palestinians