Palestinian Leader Mahmoud Abbas to Make Case for Statehood Recognition
All eyes will be on Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas Friday as he stands before the United Nations General Assembly in New York City and presents his case as for why the Palestinian people should be given statehood recognition and a seat in the international organization.
The call for U.N. membership comes with scrutiny, as the United States and many of its allies oppose the move.
President Barack Obama's administration has promised to veto any resolution recommending U.N. membership to Palestine.
Get Our Latest News for FREE
Obama said Wednesday at the General Assembly, "I am convinced that there is no shortcut to the end of a conflict that has endured for decades. Peace is hard work. Peace will not come though statements and resolutions at the United Nations. If it were that easy it would have been accomplished by now."
However, Abbas is holding steadfast in Palestine's aspirations as he told reporters Thursday evening, "We're going without any hesitation and continuing despite all the pressures."
He added, "We seek to achieve our right and we want our independent state."
Following Abbas' speech today, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will take the podium to discuss Israel's perspective on continuing a diplomatic route of direct negotiations that Israel believes will be the only way to secure a peaceful two-state solution.
Some international political analysts have been receptive to Israel's continued push for negotiations. Notably, CNN's Fareed Zakaria has argued on his blog that he is opposed to the Palestinian effort at the U.N. for "practical reasons."
Zakaria wrote of the Palestinian push on his blog, "The likely outcome is that the push is going to go nowhere in the Security Council. It may get to the General Assembly and there may be a symbolic vote. But the result of that symbolic vote may well be that they loose funds – financial support from Israel, the U.S. and potentially some European countries."
Zakaria added, "At the end of the day, there is only one way you're going to get a Palestinian state. And that's if the Israelis agree to it. They have the land; they have the guns; they have the money."
Whatever the risk, the U.N.'s expert for the Palestinian territories, Richard Falk, says the Palestinians must move ahead and world leaders should support them.
In a statement, Falk "called on every United Nations Member State to recognize the reality of Palestinian statehood, and urged Israel to listen to the will of the Palestinian people."
He added, "The will of the Palestinian people must be respected too, starting this week at the United Nations and until Palestinians can enjoy the right they share with all other peoples of the world - the right to self-determination."
After making his remarks Friday morning, the 76-year-old Abbas will present to U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon his application for full U.N. membership.
