Strategically, now is a damn good time to declare Palestinean statehood.

[LadyLeigh]

The Arab spring is going on and the Americans are desperately trying to gain foothold in it in some way. Diplomatic relations between the US and Afghanistan/Pakistan are getting increasingly complicated, and the relation between Israel and NATO (i.e. Turkey) are at an all time low. Meanwhile the Israeli government is having the rug pulled out under them.

Sure, the Americans are threatening to veto it. I say call them on it. At the end they will have the choice of either letting it pass or positioning themselves as the worlds biggest boot licker.

[hack89]

1. You are right - by exposing the violent rift between Hamas and the PA

it think it will remove the rose color glasses from many in the world. The most likely outcome of Palestinian statehood would be civil war. Are you aware that Hamas has already said there will be no elections in Gaza?

[JDPriestly]

2. How can the Palestinians declare a Palestinian state

before they sign on to the UN Declaration of 1947 that created a Jewish state in Israel?

Sounds great to talk about a Palestinian State. Everyone supports that.

The question is what boundaries would be set for it?

Do they want the boundaries set by the territory they now control?

Are they agreeing to adhere to the boundaries set under the 1947 UN Resolution?

What boundaries?

What does a Palestinian State mean in terms of geography?

That is the big issue.