Opinion / Columnist
Palestinians should be allowed UN membership
26 Sep 2011 at 05:10hrs | Views
The time has come for the United Nations to allow the people of Palestine, full membership of the world body so that they can join UN agencies and sign international treaties enabling them to challenge occupation by Israel such as via the ICC.
The BBC notes that the Palestinians have been trying to establish a sovereign state in the West Bank including East Jerusalem and Gaza – occupied by Israel since the 1967. That is a very long time to wait for self determination.
Understandably, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has today applied for his country's membership of the UN after the PLO has been a mere observer for decades.
Reasons for denying the people of Palestine as advanced by the pro-Israeli lobby are not helpful as they only prolong the dispute on unequal terms.
Admittedly, Obama's job is not made easier by the pro-Israeli lobby in Congress where threats have been made to block $50million (£33m) in aid to the Palestinian Authority if it continues pursuit of UN membership. That is obviously unhelpful political blackmail.
However, President Obama would be ill-advised to veto Palestine's bid for UN membership in an effort to appease the Republican-dominated Congress because the world would be a much safer place by elevating the Palestine Authority to full statehood which carries with it rights and responsibilities under international law.
Although, French President's Sarkozy's compromise offer of allowing the Palestinian Authority observer status at the UN like that enjoyed by the Vatican, it (the observer status) will still prolong its unequal relationship in negotiations with Israel.
An important preliminary for a breakthrough in the Middle East is arguably bringing the two contending parties – Israel and Palestine to the same level as full co-existing independent states and members of the United Nations.
As far as the court of public opinion is concerned, the Palestinian Authority's UN membership is long overdue judging by the applause and standing ovations given to President Abbas today during his historic address to the world body.
It is hoped that Britain and other members of the Security Council will be able to dissuade the United States from using its veto but instead see sanity in inclusiveness rather than exclusiveness in international relations by embracing the Palestinian State as a new member of the UN.
-----------------------------
Clifford Chitupa Mashiri, Political Analyst, London, zimanalysis2009@gmail.com
The BBC notes that the Palestinians have been trying to establish a sovereign state in the West Bank including East Jerusalem and Gaza – occupied by Israel since the 1967. That is a very long time to wait for self determination.
Understandably, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has today applied for his country's membership of the UN after the PLO has been a mere observer for decades.
Reasons for denying the people of Palestine as advanced by the pro-Israeli lobby are not helpful as they only prolong the dispute on unequal terms.
Admittedly, Obama's job is not made easier by the pro-Israeli lobby in Congress where threats have been made to block $50million (£33m) in aid to the Palestinian Authority if it continues pursuit of UN membership. That is obviously unhelpful political blackmail.
Although, French President's Sarkozy's compromise offer of allowing the Palestinian Authority observer status at the UN like that enjoyed by the Vatican, it (the observer status) will still prolong its unequal relationship in negotiations with Israel.
An important preliminary for a breakthrough in the Middle East is arguably bringing the two contending parties – Israel and Palestine to the same level as full co-existing independent states and members of the United Nations.
As far as the court of public opinion is concerned, the Palestinian Authority's UN membership is long overdue judging by the applause and standing ovations given to President Abbas today during his historic address to the world body.
It is hoped that Britain and other members of the Security Council will be able to dissuade the United States from using its veto but instead see sanity in inclusiveness rather than exclusiveness in international relations by embracing the Palestinian State as a new member of the UN.
-----------------------------
Clifford Chitupa Mashiri, Political Analyst, London, zimanalysis2009@gmail.com
Source - Clifford Chitupa Mashiri
All articles and letters published on Bulawayo24 have been independently written by members of Bulawayo24's community. The views of users published on Bulawayo24 are therefore their own and do not necessarily represent the views of Bulawayo24. Bulawayo24 editors also reserve the right to edit or delete any and all comments received.
