Palestine on its way towards UN recognition as a "non-member state"
New York (AsiaNews) - Chances are very high that Palestine will become a non-member state of the United Nations. Ahead of tomorrow's vote at the General Assembly, more and more countries are lining up behind the Palestinian request.
In Europe, France, Spain, Denmark, Austria and Portugal have expressed their support. Switzerland has done the same. Italy appears to be moving in that direction. Great Britain has announced that it will abstain, asking for a resumption of talks with Israel without preconditions. Germany today announced it would not back the request made by Palestinian President Mahmud Abbas.
A few days ago, Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO) officials said they could count on at least 150 countries out of 193. What many Palestinians fear is that some of them might pull back under pressure from the United States, Israel and some European nations.
Already accepted as a permanent observer, the Palestinians last year tried to become a full member of the United Nations within the 1967 borders (before Israeli occupation). But their demand was thwarted because the United States threatened to use its veto in the Security Council; hence, this year's second attempt.
Israel, which has launched a diplomatic counteroffensive, is concerned that Palestine's enhanced status might lead to membership in the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague, where it could file suits against Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories and land seizures by Israeli settlers.
Israel wants the Palestinian state to come out of bilateral talks without preconditions. Palestinians have pulled out of negotiations in 2010 because of Israel's refusal to end illegal settlements in the Territories. By its action, Israel is taking more and more land away from the would-be Palestinian state and making territorial continuity less likely, especially between East Jerusalem and the rest of the territories.
Although expressing his country's support in tomorrow's UN vote, French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius warned Palestinians against creating obstacles to peace with Israel by joining the ICC.
The Swiss disagree. According to the Swiss Foreign Ministry, a positive vote would make it possible to "revitalise the concept of a two-state solution by placing Israel and Palestine on an equal footing in future peace negotiations."
At the same time, "It will also open the way for Palestine to become a party to numerous international conventions, above all in the domains of the protection of human rights and the fight against terrorism."
Sources with access to the text of the proposed UN resolution told AsiaNews that it explicitly says that after its recognition as a "non-member state" Palestine will renew talks with Israel.
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