US confirms it will veto Palestinian statehood bid

[oberliner]

"If any such resolution were put in front of the Security Council, then we would veto it,” official states; George Mitchell says US probably can't stop PA from becoming non-member state at General Assembly.

The US will veto a Palestinian request for state recognition if it is submitted to the UN Security Council later this month, a US official said Thursday.

Wendy Sherman, President Barack Obama's nominee for undersecretary of state for policy, the department's third-ranking position, told the Senate during confirmation hearings that “if any such resolution were put in front of the Security Council, then we would veto it.”

"The United States is very resolved to a veto threat in the Security Council,” Sherman said. “What we are very resolved about as well is urging the parties to enter into direct negotiations again.”

http://www.jpost.com/DiplomacyAndPolitics/Article.aspx?id=237199

[OneAngryDemocrat]

1. Another Reason to Protest Obama

...come October.

Be there, or be square.

[montanacowboy]

2. This IS the root of our middle east problems

Palestine deserves a state and it's time we come to the party

one more pathetic decision by this administration - carrying on the ignorant decisions of the past

[oberliner]

5. The US supports the creation of a Palestinian state

Just not this particular means of doing so.

[sinkingfeeling]

3. I don't understand why.

[oberliner]

4. Because the US supports direct negotiatons instead of unilateral declarations

At least in this particular case.

[abelenkpe]

6. Isn't that the same thing as saying it will never happen?

[hack89]

10. A unilateral declaration doesn't help things

the PA still has to negotiate borders, ROR, Jerusalem, etc. It is impossible to see how this theater at the UN would have a positive effect on these important issues.

[sinkingfeeling]

7. After 40 years of 'negotiations', I'll take a declaration.

[hack89]

11. Locking in the status quo?

why is that a good deal for the Palestinians?

[abelenkpe]

12. exactly nt

[aranthus]

8. A misleading headline

The US can't veto a Palestinian state because that isn't even up for a vote at the UN. Since the UN can't create a state, the US can't veto it. All the US can do is veto Palestinian membership in the UN, which the US could do even if Palestine was a state. I think it's been a mistake for Israel and its supporters to place so much emphasis on this.

[hack89]

9. Good. nt