The Palestinian foreign minister Riad Malki said he would seek United Nations recognition for a Palestinian state in September and is currently lobbying for votes worldwide. The move is part of the Palestinians’ Plan B of pursuing an alternative to a negotiated peace deal while talks with Israel remain stalled. Riad Malki’s announcement on January 9 followed Chile’s recognition of Palestine, making it the fifth South American country to do so recently.
While a majority for Palestine in the General Assembly seems possible, recognition by the Security Council – whose decisions are legally binding – would likely face an American veto. The September target date has the month shaping up to be a crucial one for the Palestinians. It also marks the time frame for President Barack Obama’s goal of reaching a peace deal and Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayyad’s hope of having the foundations of the future state ready.
US Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton said progress in the development of Palestinian governmental institutions may help forestall the moves to declare statehood or seek UN action against Israel. “We continue to believe strongly that New York is not the place to resolve the long-standing conflict and outstanding issues between the Israelis and the Palestinians,” Clinton said, during a visit to Abu Dhabi. “We do not think that that is a productive path for the Palestinians or anyone to pursue.”