Israel Matzav: US to veto 'Palestinian statehood' move in Security Council

US to veto 'Palestinian statehood' move in Security Council

The Times of London seems to take for granted that the US would use its veto to prevent a 'Palestinian statehood' move from passing the UN Security Council.

Yet it is virtually certain that the Obama Administration, possibly using procedural devices with European help, will block the Palestinians’ latest request for the Security Council to recognise the state of Palestine.

By going to the UN, the Palestinians hope to put the Obama Administration on the spot, after its perceived recent tilt towards Israel on West Bank settlements. The US, however, will almost certainly continue to insist that recognition of a Palestinian state must follow, not precede, final status negotiations. Although the Palestinians need Security Council recognition to qualify as a UN member state, they do not need to be a UN member state to be able to accede to various international treaties. Some European diplomats are urging them to do so. The Palestinian Authority, for instance, has already asked the prosecutor of the International Criminal Court to pursue alleged Israeli war crimes in this year’s Gaza war.

I find it hard to believe that the US under Obama will use its veto in the Security Council to stop anything. They are ideologically opposed to using the veto because it conflicts with their internationalist philosophy in which all countries are created equal.

What could go wrong?

Israel Matzav: US to veto 'Palestinian statehood' move in Security Council