(New York Times) Aaron David Miller - The Obama administration needs to come out hard and fast - and remain steadfast - against Palestinian efforts to take the Israeli-Palestinian issue to the UN. For the U.S. administration to acquiesce in or actively support the internationalization of the Israeli-Palestinian problem is a very bad idea. A conflict-ending agreement between Israelis and Palestinians can only be achieved through negotiations. This has been the position of successive administrations for half a century now. To send any signal to Palestinians or the international community that there is some shortcut or imposed solution via UN mandate is a dangerous fantasy that will doom any hope for a solution. The Israelis and Palestinians need to own this process first if it is to work; not the international community. Any action at the UN will be seen as part of a campaign to isolate and beat up on Israel; it could even lead to Congress restricting aid to Palestinians on the West Bank. Focusing on UN resolutions - acquiescing in the Palestinian campaign to gain recognition for a state that doesn't yet exist - will do nothing to create a real one.
2011-01-25 10:37:50Full ArticleBACK Visit the Daily Alert Archive