GOVERNMENTS OF the Caribbean that have long supported the struggles of the Palestinian people for a sovereign state of their own would be expected to be among the estimated 112 countries that have already signalled readiness to support a formal application by Palestine for membership of the United Nations at the General Assembly session this September.
This move in itself would be of historic significance since numerous initiatives for a two-state solution to the Palestinians quest for a homeland of their own, alongside that of Israel, have been frustrated by bloody conflicts over defined territorial borders and resistance to mutual respect of sovereignty.
What has, however, generated optimism for a likely positive outcome in favour of the Palestinians achieving UN membership, is President Barack Obama’s recent call for a peace treaty based on defined borders prior to the 1967 six-day Arab/Israeli war.
The United States, as the world’s foremost ally of Israel since it became a nation in 1948, has never wavered whenever it became necessary to use its veto i the UN Security Council.
Consequently, there developed the reality over the years that even with a two thirds support at the level of the UN General Assembly, the Palestinians’ cause, however just – as in the current initiative for membership of the world body – could be frustrated by a US veto.
Obama’s declaration suggests the US may now be less committed to using that once predictable veto should Israel show an inclination to move away from its hitherto unwillingness to offer practical proposals that would give the Israeli/Palestinian “peace process” a chance. It is off the table.
Given the dramatic political developments in the Middle East, it would be a challenge for both Israel and the US to vigorously deal with their own differences over the historic rights of the Palestinian people, and Israel’s own right to exist as a nation, ahead of the formal move by chairman of the Palestinian Authority, Mahmoud Abbas, to secure UN recognition.
While Obama’s position is quite encouraging, it is more or less echoing a long-standing position of the European Union (EU).
The expectation, therefore, is that Obama cannot now join the EU’s position in favour of a peace deal between Israel and Palestine – (whose territories are located in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip and including East Jerusalem) – and yet allow a US veto to be cast in the UN Security Council.
Latest signal out of Tel Aviv points to an Israeli willingness to transfer some West Bank territory to Palestinian control and the holding of an international conference for a practical solution.
The message from the Palestinian Authority and, indeed, the Arab League, suggests that this is a non-starter for any consideration. Therefore, onward with the September initiative for Palestine’s bid to become a sovereign state.
