Palestinian Territory

The US vs. Palestinian Statehood

Although the United States had earlier vowed to condemn any and all that supported Palestine’s bid for statehood to the UN, Secretary of State for the United States, Hilary Clinton, released a statement to the contrary. Clinton said on Tuesday that the United States would not cut funding to any organizations that supported the Palestinian bid. She also stressed the opinion shared by France and the United States that Palestine and Israel need to resume diplomatic talks in order for Palestine to reach its intended statehood and that the Unites States will veto the bid.

Secretary of State Hilary Clinton’s announcement seems to show that the United States (US) is willing to make empty threats when it comes to getting what it wants. It is true that alienating the majority that supports Palestine’s bid for statehood is unwise and unbeneficial for the United States. What is even more unwise is the assumption that Israel and Palestine can resolve their issue amongst themselves. This is reminiscent of how the lower courts in the United States work. When two parties have a dispute they cannot resolve on their own, where one party believes they are owed something, for whatever reason, they take the issue up in court. Why the United States sees this as any different is very remarkable. Both Israel and Palestine believe the land in which they live are their own. Palestine’s voice is not being heard and they want legitimacy. This issue is not as simple as locking estranged friends in a room until they reconcile. Thousands of Palestinian lives are at stake, and the problem has proven not capable of diffusion by diplomatic talks between Israel and Palestine. Palestine’s bid for statehood should be taken seriously, especially by the United States, since it has said that it supports Palestine’s independent statehood. Palestine needs the backing of the UN to achieve statehood and has gone through the necessary procedures to attain it. If the United States support the end result, then why not this route? Is not part of the reason for UN existence to help solve issues like this? Israel wants to keep the power it currently holds and Palestine is fighting for its right to exist as an independent state. If the UN does not grant Palestine’s statehood, than who will? It is clear Palestine is unwavering in their quest and they currently have the backing of much of the Greater Muslim World. Only Palestine knows how far they are willing to go to obtain what they seek. If Palestine is denied, it would be a great excuse for many, especially Iran, to take matters into their own hands and use the opportunity to pursue their own vendetta against Israel.

Realist

http://www.jpost.com/DiplomacyAndPolitics/Article.aspx?id=241428

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-15188805

October 12, 2011 at 01:25 am