UPDATES

Palestinians will go to the UN no matter what

Jun 24, 2011 | Daniel Meyerowitz-Katz

Palestinians will go to the UN no matter what

Palestinian UN envoy Riyad Mansour has just come out and stated that even if negotiations with Israel were to recommence, the Palestinians will go to the UN and ask for recognition of statehood. Haaretz reports:

The Palestinians will seek membership as an independent state at the UN in September even if peace negotiations with Israel are underway, the Palestinian UN envoy said on Thursday.

Riyad Mansour said the Palestinians are working on three separate tracks – restarting negotiations, completing the institutions for an independent state and gaining additional recognition for a Palestinian state.

“If we succeed in opening the door for negotiations, we’re not going to stop from attaining what belongs to us as Palestinians in this General Assembly starting on Sept. 20,” Mansour told reporters after the Security Council’s monthly meeting on the Mideast. “Whether we succeed in the negotiations or we don’t, the other two tracks are continuing.”

This announcement is a huge blow to peace efforts, particularly to US President Barack Obama and to the European Union, who have been attempting to jump-start talks whilst strongly condemning the Palestinians’ unilateral efforts. It is also a reversal of the previous Palestinian position, which was that the UN bid was a last resort and would be averted were the parties to return to negotiations.

Any unilateral moves, such as this UN bid, will only serve to further intensify the conflict. Without a return to direct negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians, no attempt at a solution could ever be sustainable. Unfortunately, the Palestinian Authority seems to be moving closer and closer to a renewal of the bloodshed that is all too familiar in recent Israeli/Palestinian history.

Tags:

RELATED ARTICLES


Screenshot from a video showing radical Israeli rioters torching Palestinian homes in the West Bank town of Huwara on Sunday evening (Image: Twitter)

West Bank unrest escalates following violent riots by Jewish protesters in Huwara

Mar 1, 2023 | Update
The Iranian regime has been releasing some of the thousands of political prisoners arrested during the recent anti-regime protests. But the world should recognise that this is not a genuine change of heart, but a ruse, according to the author. (Image: Shutterstock, Novikov Aleksey)

Lessons from the Iranian protests

Feb 20, 2023 | Update
“Juniper Oak” logo. Credit: Israel Defense Forces

“Juniper Oak”: A Message to Iran?

Feb 10, 2023 | Update
The aftermath of the fatal terror attack in Jerusalem (Image: Twitter)

Heinous terror in Jerusalem

Feb 3, 2023 | Update
Israel's Supreme Court sitting earlier this month. Plans for judicial reforms that would limit the power of the Court have stirred intense debate in Israel. (Image: Eddie Gerald / Alamy Stock Photo)

Israel debates proposed judicial reforms

Jan 24, 2023 | Update
Image: Shutterstock

Evolving debates about Iran policy

Jan 17, 2023 | Update

SIGN UP FOR AIJAC EMAILS

RECENT POSTS

Canberratimes Logo

Letter: Palestinian extremist voices were opposed because of their racism

Israel's Supreme Court in session, January 5, 2023, in Jerusalem, Israel. (Credit: Eddie Gerald/Alamy Live News)

Israel’s proposed judicial reforms – Jamie Hyams on J-Air radio

L-R: Dr Michael Trainor, Sr Giovanni Farquer, Jeremy Jones

AIJAC congratulates Australian Catholics on “Powerful affirmation of friendship”

Shutterstock 2026681823

AIJAC welcomes proposed Federal ban on Nazi symbols and salutes

Image: Shutterstock

AIJAC welcomes additional Iran sanctions

Canberratimes Logo

Letter: Palestinian extremist voices were opposed because of their racism

Israel's Supreme Court in session, January 5, 2023, in Jerusalem, Israel. (Credit: Eddie Gerald/Alamy Live News)

Israel’s proposed judicial reforms – Jamie Hyams on J-Air radio

L-R: Dr Michael Trainor, Sr Giovanni Farquer, Jeremy Jones

AIJAC congratulates Australian Catholics on “Powerful affirmation of friendship”

Shutterstock 2026681823

AIJAC welcomes proposed Federal ban on Nazi symbols and salutes

Image: Shutterstock

AIJAC welcomes additional Iran sanctions

SORT BY TOPICS