The news now is that the UN Security Council has rejected the latest resolution calling for an end to the Israeli occupation of the Palestinian territories within three years. Dont believe that. More like it was blocked. The majority of the UNSC voted in favour of the resolution, and for 40 years the majority of the world (including all 22 Arab states) has been in favour of the only remaining diplomatic solution to the conflict. Again, the US has blocked the road towards Palestinian self-determination and peace in the region. But this isnt the first time. Just last month the US delegation voted against The right of the Palestinian people to self-determination, a resolution that comes up every year. That vote was 170 in favour, 7 against (US, Israel, Canada, Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Palau, and Nauru). In this latest Security Council vote, the US was joined only by Australia. The UK, Lithuania, Nigeria, Korea and Rwanda abstained (no doubt the result of US pressure). Chile, China, Russia, France, Argentina, Chad, Jordan, and Luxembourg voted yes. Recall, in 2012, the General Assembly voted overwhelmingly to accord Palestine ‘Non-Member Observer State’ status at the UN. The vote there? 138 in favour to 9 against (Canada, Czech Republic, Israel, Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Nauru, Panama, Palau, United States). Getting the picture? Virtually the whole world wants to see this conflict settled and Palestine brought into the community of nations. Virtually nobody supports Israel and US intransigence. US ambassador Power called todays vote a staged confrontation that will not bring the parties closer to achieving a two-state solution. Ask yourself: is that a credible claim? Kerry didnt even want this vote to happen - he wanted to wait until after March elections in Israel. How long does the world need to wait? How long do the suffering Palestinians need to wait? If a United Nations resolution - and international diplomacy and cooperation among over a hundred very different counties who probably otherwise agree on very little - if that constitutes a staged confrontation, what exactly is Power suggesting? What a bad joke.
Posted on: Wed, 31 Dec 2014 02:23:43 +0000