Mahmod Abbas submitted his request for
Palestinian statehood to U.N. Yesterday, September 23, 2011. PLO
prompted to pass their bid to U.N. after 20 years of failed negotiations. The
Quartet plan; the United Nations, the United States, the European Union and
Russia, has been a stalemate. The bid is to grant independence to Palestinian
people which eventually comes down to viable next best option of upgrading their
status observer status into non-member state status like that of Vatican.
After Abbas speech, he received applause and some of the supporters in Palestine especially in the west bank were celebrating. It was momentous event for them. In addition, Abbas might have gained popularity from Palestinians.
To me, I place doubts on the positive outcome of PLO’s bid. Why?
1. U.S. is expected to veto it. Obama can convince some of the 15 non-permanent members to abstain. U.S. is committed to Israel’s security. What is then ‘SECURITY’ for Israel? Whatever poses threat to their existence. Whatever they deem to be a threat. Security is defined by the Israeli government. They can play with the concept.
2. In Obama’s speech, he said: “there’s no short-cut for peace”. Palestinians must engage in direct negotiations. What the heck is this negotiation? What has been Quarter plan’s road map to peace has brought about? Continued Jewish illegal settlement? Demolition of Palestinian homes? Name them. Negotiation is a stalemate. It’s a game. It only prolongs the outcry of the Palestinians for statehood and continues further the illegal settlement.
After Abbas speech, he received applause and some of the supporters in Palestine especially in the west bank were celebrating. It was momentous event for them. In addition, Abbas might have gained popularity from Palestinians.
To me, I place doubts on the positive outcome of PLO’s bid. Why?
1. U.S. is expected to veto it. Obama can convince some of the 15 non-permanent members to abstain. U.S. is committed to Israel’s security. What is then ‘SECURITY’ for Israel? Whatever poses threat to their existence. Whatever they deem to be a threat. Security is defined by the Israeli government. They can play with the concept.
2. In Obama’s speech, he said: “there’s no short-cut for peace”. Palestinians must engage in direct negotiations. What the heck is this negotiation? What has been Quarter plan’s road map to peace has brought about? Continued Jewish illegal settlement? Demolition of Palestinian homes? Name them. Negotiation is a stalemate. It’s a game. It only prolongs the outcry of the Palestinians for statehood and continues further the illegal settlement.
The same remarks said by Netanyahu after the speech
of Abbas.
3. Palestinians are divided. The bid is not being supported by all Palestinians. HAMAS has been marginalized. The efforts for PLO-HAMAS unity has been successfully prevented by the Israeli government when they said it they cannot negotiate with HAMAS. However, the latter is a significant political force in the Palestine. They control the Gaza strip. They have a relatively overwhelming support of the Palestinians. They can influence the minds of some Palestinians and even support outside the country. Hence, they cannot be isolated. This scenario reflects a deep division of Palestinian people. If I may quote Ismail Haniyeh, “Our Palestinian people do not beg for a state ... States are not built upon UN resolutions. States liberate their land and establish their entities.”
3. Palestinians are divided. The bid is not being supported by all Palestinians. HAMAS has been marginalized. The efforts for PLO-HAMAS unity has been successfully prevented by the Israeli government when they said it they cannot negotiate with HAMAS. However, the latter is a significant political force in the Palestine. They control the Gaza strip. They have a relatively overwhelming support of the Palestinians. They can influence the minds of some Palestinians and even support outside the country. Hence, they cannot be isolated. This scenario reflects a deep division of Palestinian people. If I may quote Ismail Haniyeh, “Our Palestinian people do not beg for a state ... States are not built upon UN resolutions. States liberate their land and establish their entities.”
4. Lastly, the TRUTH is that Israel will not
allow Palestinian statehood. The documentary film the IRON WALL by Mohammad Alatar might help us to understand this.
0 comments:
Post a Comment