Israeli and Palestinian envoys have squared off at the United Nations Security Council over plans to seek U.N. recognition of a Palestinian state in September.
The Palestinian U.N. observer, Riyad Mansour, said Tuesday that seeking recognition would not hurt the peace process and would instead strengthen efforts to achieve a two-state solution. He said his government cannot wait any longer for Israel to negotiate in good faith.
Mansour did not say whether the Palestinians will seek U.N. membership as a sovereign state – which requires Security Council approval – or will push for a non-binding resolution recognizing a Palestinian state.
Israel’s U.N. ambassador, Ron Prosor, urged Palestinians to return to direct negotiations. He said the split within the Palestinian leadership means even the most basic condition for statehood – a monopoly on the use of force – does not exist.
Categories: Asia, Israel, Middle East