(Foreign Policy) Colum Lynch - As the Palestinians seek to gain UN recognition as an independent state in September, Israeli UN Ambassador Ron Prosor says, "We are seeking a moral minority of countries who would oppose this move." Palestinian officials insist they have secured commitments from 122 countries - just shy of the 129 required for the 2/3 majority needed to pass a non-binding General Assembly resolution declaring a Palestinian state. Only the Security Council has the authority to approve new UN members. President Obama has said that Israel can count on the diplomatic backing of the U.S. (whose veto power in the Security Council will come in handy if a vote for Palestinian sovereignty is ever held there). Israeli officials are also confident they can split the European Union vote in the General Assembly. The Obama administration has urged the Palestinians to avoid a confrontation at the UN over statehood, saying it would do little to advance their aspirations for independence. Direct negotiations with the Israelis, they say, offers the only hope of a viable, independent Palestinian state.
2011-07-22 00:00:00Full ArticleBACK Visit the Daily Alert Archive