UNITED NATIONS — The United Nations voted overwhelmingly Thursday to recognize a Palestinian state, a long-sought victory for the Palestinians but an embarrassing diplomatic defeat for the United States.
The resolution upgrading the Palestinians’ status to a non-member observer state at the United Nations was approved by a more than two-thirds majority of the 193-member world body — a vote of 138-9, with 41 abstentions.
A Palestinian flag was quickly unfurled on the floor of the General Assembly, behind the Palestinian delegation. Jubilant Palestinians, who crowded around outdoor screens and television sets to watch the vote hugged, honked and set off fireworks in celebration.
Real independence, however, remains an elusive dream until the Palestinians negotiate a peace deal with the Israelis, who warned that the General Assembly action will only delay a lasting solution. Israel still controls the West Bank, east Jerusalem and access to Gaza, and it accused the Palestinians of bypassing negotiations with the campaign to upgrade their UN status.
The United States immediately criticised the historic vote. “Today’s unfortunate and counterproductive resolution places further obstacles in the path peace,” UN Ambassador Susan Rice said.
And US Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton called the vote “unfortunate” and “counterproductive.”
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called the speech by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to the General Assembly shortly before the vote “defamatory and venomous,” saying it was “full of mendacious propaganda” against Israel.
Abbas had told the General Assembly that it was “being asked today to issue the birth certificate of Palestine.” Abbas said the vote is the last chance to save the two-state solution.
Categories: Arab World, Asia, Palestine, United Nations
I cannot understand why Israel and the US make such a fuss about it. I thought that they support a ‘two state solution’. I suppose I was wrong about that.
You are not wrong, sir. Thank you for keeping us posted of the Historic Vote of the UN. Thank you, the world body. This is a great achievement. It will go a long way in the annals of the world. As for the United States, ki ni won n fi ara won pe na? (Who are they and What are they up to?) For how long will they lord over the fate of other nations, other cultures, other lands, and other peoples. America should remember, civilizations and great nations have gone before them! It may be bitter, but we need to tell America that it is ONLY JUSTICE and FAIR-PLAY that help peace to soar higher.
However, Palestinians should remember the years of sufferings, the long years of fighting for freedom, they should therefore trek softly and cautiously with total respect for the rights of their neighbors (Israelis). Holy Prophet of Islam, peace be on him, has instructed, give everybody his/her dues and rights, even if the fellow denies you of your dues and rights.
It’s a pleasure to have the flag of PALESTINE flies higher as an INDEPENDENT NATION! HURRAY!
LONG LIVE THE STATE OF PALESTINE. LONG LIVE HUMANITY.
Very well said Mr Qasim.