(Reuters) Noah Browning - A monumental wooden chair erected in Ramallah to symbolize the Palestinians' sought-after UN seat collapsed this week after months of wind and rain. Bulldozers quietly took away the shattered remains by night. Its collapse and stealthy removal could well serve as an emblem of Palestinian hopes for statehood. Riven by internal quarrels, the Palestinians are struggling to make their voice heard. World attention has shifted to the U.S. presidential elections, the escalating violence in Syria and Iran's nuclear program. Palestinians have suggested reviving a 2011 campaign to petition the UN for statehood recognition. But a growing number of Palestinian commentators have criticized such a strategy as aimless. Full statehood status can only come from the UN Security Council and the U.S. has made clear on numerous occasions that it will veto any such move.
2012-03-16 00:00:00Full ArticleBACK Visit the Daily Alert Archive