U.S. Lawmakers Talk Palestinian Statehood, Iran At Mideast Confab

[Purveyor]

June 23, 2011

WASHINGTON (JTA) -- U.S. Sen. Ben Cardin said supporters of Israel must be prepared for a U.N. General Assembly vote recognizing a Palestinian state in September, saying the Palestinians have "the upper hand" in pushing through such a resolution.

The Palestinians have a solid bloc of allies in the General Assembly, whereas the measure likely will not pass if brought before the U.N. Security Council, Cardin (D-Md.) said Wednesday during a speech at a conference here on the Middle East sponsored by The Israel Project.

"We have to be prepared for a U.N. vote that is negative," Cardin said. "There will be consequences."

Rep. Shelley Berkley (D-Nev.) echoed Cardin's sentiments, stating flatly that a unilateral resolution recognizing a Palestinian state "absolutely cannot happen."

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http://www.jta.org/news/article/2011/06/23/3088268/us-representatives-talk-palestinian-statehood-iran-at-me-conference