New Palestinian State: ‘Vote’ A Vital Universal Step

By Labeed Abdal
This commentary was published in The Arab Times on 25/04/2011

Presenting the proposed establishment of an independent Palestinian state to the United Nations (UN) for voting in September is a vital universal step, which will lead to a peaceful end to a prolonged dispute.

The Palestinians and all the international advocates of the proposal should consider the need to support the bilateral interests of both sides, in addition to narrowing the gap between the Palestinians and the Israelis.  The UN General Assembly has always been supportive of the legitimate dream of the Palestinians and more is expected of the Security Council not to veto the proposal again. 

I think the issue does not involve the Palestinians alone, because it also affects the moderate people of Israel who want peace in the region.  People from both sides are willing to live in peace as neighbors and to stop bloodshed and deaths.

A unified declaration of independence and full UN support are possible only if Europe will also promote the Palestinian state in the General Assembly.  This might convince all members of the Security Council to endorse the proposal.

However, seeing the same results only means that the endless dispute, along with its dire consequences, is more beneficial to some hidden parties rather than resolving the issue!