77 online
 
Most Popular Choices
Share on Facebook 24 Printer Friendly Page More Sharing
Exclusive to OpEd News:
OpEdNews Op Eds   

UN General Assembly votes overwhelmingly to recognize Palestinian state

By       (Page 1 of 3 pages)   No comments
Message Abdus-Sattar Ghazali
Become a Fan
  (11 fans)

(Article changed on November 30, 2012 at 15:53)

(Article changed on November 30, 2012 at 13:44)

The 193-nation U.N. General Assembly on Thursday overwhelmingly voted to recognize a Palestinian state.

There were 138 votes in favor, nine against and 41 abstentions. Three countries -- Australia, Britain and Germany - did not take part in the vote to upgrade the Palestinian Authority's observer status at the United Nations to "non-member state" from "entity."

At least 17 European nations voted in favor of the Palestinian resolution, including Austria, France, Italy, Norway and Spain. Palestine Authority President Mahmood Abbas had focused his lobbying efforts on Europe, which supplies much of the aid the Palestinian Authority relies on. The Czech Republic joined the United States, Israel, Canada, Panama and tiny Pacific Island states likes Nauru, Palau and Micronesia in voting against the move.

A Palestinian flag was quickly unfurled on the floor of the General Assembly, behind the Palestinian delegation.

Tellingly, Thursday's vote came on the same day, Nov. 29, that the U.N. General Assembly in 1947 voted to recognize a partitioned state in Palestine, that was accepted by the Jews but rejected by the Palestinians.

The vote comes 10 days after a ceasefire ended the eight-day Israeli assault on Gaza which left 174 Palestinians dead. It ended only ended after Hamas and Israel agreed to an Egyptian-mediated ceasefire.

Mahmoud Abbas

The much-anticipated vote came after Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas had told the General Assembly that it was "being asked today to issue the birth certificate of Palestine." He said the vote is the last chance to save the two-state solution.

"Sixty-five years ago on this day, the United Nations General Assembly adopted resolution 181, which partitioned the land of historic Palestine into two states and became the birth certificate for Israel," Abbas told the 193-nation assembly after receiving a standing ovation.

"We are here for a final serious attempt to achieve peace," Abbas said adding: "Not to end the negotiation process" rather to breathe new life into the negotiation process."

Abbas also said he "did not come here to de-legitimize a state established years ago, that is Israel." However, he said that Israel's occupation "is becoming consistent with an apartheid system" that promotes "racial hatred and incitement". The window of opportunity is narrowing and time is running out."

He stressed that Palestinians will accept nothing less than an independent state with East Jerusalem as its capital on all territories occupied in a 1967 war, and a settlement to the issue of millions of Palestinians who have refugee status.

US Reaction

The United States, which voted against the resolution, immediately criticized the vote. "Today's unfortunate and counterproductive resolution places further obstacles in the path peace," U.N. Ambassador Susan Rice said. U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton called the vote "unfortunate" and "counterproductive."

Next Page  1  |  2  |  3

(Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher).

Must Read 1   Well Said 1   Interesting 1  
Rate It | View Ratings

Abdus-Sattar Ghazali Social Media Pages: Facebook page url on login Profile not filled in       Twitter page url on login Profile not filled in       Linkedin page url on login Profile not filled in       Instagram page url on login Profile not filled in

Author and journalist. Author of Islamic Pakistan: Illusions & Reality; Islam in the Post-Cold War Era; Islam & Modernism; Islam & Muslims in the Post-9/11 America. Currently working as free lance journalist. Executive Editor of American (more...)
 
Go To Commenting
The views expressed herein are the sole responsibility of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of this website or its editors.
Writers Guidelines

 
Contact AuthorContact Author Contact EditorContact Editor Author PageView Authors' Articles
Support OpEdNews

OpEdNews depends upon can't survive without your help.

If you value this article and the work of OpEdNews, please either Donate or Purchase a premium membership.

STAY IN THE KNOW
If you've enjoyed this, sign up for our daily or weekly newsletter to get lots of great progressive content.
Daily Weekly     OpEd News Newsletter
Name
Email
   (Opens new browser window)
 

Most Popular Articles by this Author:     (View All Most Popular Articles by this Author)

Pakistan's first Prime Minister Liaquat Ali Khan was assassinated by America

U.S. Muslims condemn killings of American diplomats in Libya

Are we living in Orwell's 1984 Oceania surveillance state?

Saudi Air Force trainee opens fire at Naval Air Station in Florida killing 3 people

2001-2011: A decade of civil liberties' erosion in America -- Part One

2001-2011: A decade of civil liberties' erosion in America -- Part Two

To View Comments or Join the Conversation:

Tell A Friend