U.S. Appeals to Palestinians to Stall U.N. Vote on Statehood

[jaysunb]

Source: N.Y. Times

WASHINGTON — The Obama administration has initiated a last-ditch diplomatic campaign to avert a confrontation this month over a plan by Palestinians to seek recognition as a state at the United Nations, but it may already be too late, according to senior American officials and foreign diplomats.

The administration has circulated a proposal for renewed peace talks with the Israelis in the hopes of persuading the Palestinian president, Mahmoud Abbas, to abandon the bid for recognition at the annual gathering of world leaders at the United Nations General Assembly beginning Sept. 20

The administration has made it clear to Mr. Abbas that it will veto any request presented to the United Nations Security Council to make a Palestinian state a new member outright.

But the United States does not have enough support to block a vote by the General Assembly to elevate the status of the Palestinians’ nonvoting observer “entity” to that of a nonvoting observer state. The change would pave the way for the Palestinians to join dozens of United Nations bodies and conventions, and it could strengthen their ability to pursue cases against Israel at the International Criminal Court


Read more: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/09/04/world/middleeast/04mideast.html?pagewanted=1&_r=1&nl=todaysheadlines&emc=tha2

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Saw this coming for awhile...too bad about the timing w/ the jobs speech. The hits just keep coming.

[Shining Jack]

1. "But the United States does not have enough support to block a vote by the General Assembly..."

Perfect.

[Muskypundit]

2. Im going to bang my head bloody on this fucking table if we vote no.

Why. The fuck. Would we not recognize Palestine as a state. If we vote no on that we immediately lose all and then some of the good will we have received for our half hearted support of the arab spring. Its been awhile since I have seen burning U.S flags on the teevee, and I want it to stay this way.

Fuck israel. Fuck AIPAC. Im tired of those mother fuckers getting listened to over our best interests. They have everything they need, we dont need to risk a wave of anti-american sentiment just because acknowledging brown people exist on their borders would hurt their feelings. You want to stop terrorism? Stop giving israel a blank check of support.

[AverageJoe90]

10. We shouldn't give the Palestinians a blank check, either.

Hamas & and all the other right-wing fascist jihadists have to go. Then we can discuss the Likudniks(whom I do despise, btw.)

[Scottybeamer70]

3. If we have any goodwill left in the world

a "no" vote will surely take care of that. I think the rest of the planet is growing just
a bit weary of our continual support of Israel, regardless of any actions they take against others.
Enough already!!!

[Fearless]

4. So our president favors civil rights right? What about HUMAN RIGHTS?

:banghead:


This is disgraceful. Shame on you Mr. President. Shame on you. The onus lies with you and your administration alone. Shame on you.

[Behind the Aegis]

5. LOL!

[sellitman]

6. Perhaps the latest round of missile firings at Civilian populations wasn't the best idea.

But that doesn't seem to bother anyone here so nevermind.

[trud]

8. complaining about missle firings

is like the Israelis shutting off water to some Palestinian towns except for two days a week and then laughing at Palestinains for "being dirty."

[trud]

7. Hillary will never allow a yes vote

and Obama lacks the guts, knowledge, and will to oppose her.

Futile petition asking for signatures to ask the US government to support Palestinian statehood, but I signed it anyway:
http://stateforpalestine.org/

[on point]

9. About time! Have to work around joint US / Israel obstruction and oppression

[quakerboy]

11. I dont get it

What would be president Abbas's motivation to not attempt a status upgrade for his political entity?

I fail to see the carrot. The chance to join talks that have traditionally gone nowhere? Or the stick, as it were. They are already getting militarily trounced every time they stick their heads up.