The United States is working on a last-ditch plan to head off a vote on Palestinian statehood this week by having Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas submit a letter for recognition to the United Nations Security Council without actually holding a vote, CNN reports.
Abbas’ letter – which would spare the U.S. a veto of statehood that would likely be condemned around the world – would be accompanied by a statement from the Mideast Quartet, consisting of the U.N., the European Union, the United States and Russia – that outlines the terms under which Israeli-Palestinian negotiations would resume.
According to a Palestinian official, the proposal is allegedly being considered a serious option. “We don’t need a vote right away,” they said. “We see this as the beginning of a process.”
Quartet representatives are set to work on the text of the statement Tuesday afternoon, CNN says, and a Palestinian state based on 1967 borders with agreed land swaps, the recognition of two states for two peoples, and a time frame for a peace deal are at the core of the plan.
“Just because he sends a letter to the Council doesn’t mean there has to be a vote,” one E.U. official told CNN. “The message we get from the Palestinians is that they definitely want to find a diplomatic solution.”
“It actually is a good idea because it is like a Damocles [sword] hanging over our heads,” an American official said. “It creates an urgency to start negotiations.”
The Obama administration has consistently maintained that “direct negotiations” are the only way to reach a two-state solution, and that the Palestinian bid for statehood at the U.N. is “counterproductive.”
President Barack Obama is set to sit down with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu Wednesday at 11 a.m., but has no plans yet to meet separately with Abbas.
An Israeli official also indicated openness to this plan, with one official telling CNN, “From our side, I think we could accept it.”
Another Israeli official said this would be a “good move” for Abbas.
“He could walk away with the pride of having gone to the Security Council, having an improved terms of reference in a Quartet statement and maybe saving his relationship with the Obama administration. But I don’t know if he will do it,” the official said.
On Monday, Abbas said that he will press on with his statehood bid on Friday, even while noting that “all hell has broken out against us” because of his plan.
“We will go to the U.N. because there is no contradiction between negotiations and going to the U.N.,” Abbas told reporters while en route to New York City.
{Politico/Matzav.com Newscenter}
The UN vote in the Security Council will not pass. That is a given. The key question is – “What happens after this Friday ?”
The raised expectations of the Palestinians will need to be addressed. The concerns of the Israelis need to be considered. The good thing is that many lines of communication are being opened. You cannot form a relationship with someone unless you first connect. The solution for the Holy Land and region is for a divinely mandated command and control structure to be set up. Like a constitutional monarchy, corporation or organisation. All the various components of the General Welfare need to fall under the umbrella. i.e. Safety, security, food, water, shelter, energy, mobility, transport, infrastructure, elimination, work, rest, play etc.
The way to get disparate groups to work together is to include them in a higher mission and calling. Surprisingly positive things can happen when people feel part of something greater than themselves. The fact that right now the vast majority of the nine million inhabitants of the Israel; Judea and Samaria/The West Bank and Gaza are not exploding in violence is a positive.
The thing with the UN General Assemble meeting and all the lobbying by both sides is that much attention is being directed to Jerusalem, nations are coming together to meet and everyone is waking up to the correct worldview. There have been enough natural disasters and acts of violence to make everyone understand that this really is an interconnected world. But if a team of players is not co-ordinated, lack spirit, drive and direction they can mope around on the field all day and not kick any goals.
The people are also accepting the need for government. If they trust that their leaders are genuinely concerned about their wellbeing they will accept guidance. If fair and righteous government prevails from Jerusalem in the coming years the desert will really bloom and Ganeden will become a reality. Many people have to start seeing the bigger picture and move away from their win/lose mindset.
An ongoing series of meetings needs to be held in Jerusalem. A series of moves needs to made and a higher authority heeded. A wise counsellors presence is required.
Prayers for the Middle East.