In a shocking statement over the statehood of Palestine, the US Consul General in Jerusalem, Daniel Rubinstein threatened to cut funds if Palestine pursues statehood vote in the UN. “In case the Palestinian Authority seeks to upgrade its position at the UN through the General Assembly, the US Congress will take punitive measures against it, including a cut in US aid,” said Rubinstein.
Rubinstein went ahead and said any resolution on the statehood of Palestine referred to the Security Council by the UN General Assembly will be vetoed by the United States. Mahmoud Abbas, Chief of Palestinian Authority will attend a UN General Assembly meeting to discuss the Palestinian status as an independent state.
Palestine has got recognition from over 100 countries and recently El Salvador has joined the list when President Mauricio Funes expressed his government’s recognition of Palestine. UN membership requires a recommendation from the Security Council and a two-thirds approval of the world body’s General Assembly, or 128 countries.