George S. Hishmeh
Gulf News (Opinion)
September 27, 2012 - 12:00am
http://gulfnews.com/opinions/columnists/shenanigans-at-work-in-the-un-1.1081393

The Middle East figured prominently, but not sufficiently, in the speech of the US President Barack Obama at the opening session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York City on Tuesday, six weeks before the US presidential elections and in the presence of 120 world leaders. His focus on the turbulence in the region was in part due to the criticism of his pro-Israeli Republican rival, Mitt Romney, who has accused Obama of damaging ties with Israel and not being tough enough on Iran’s alleged nuclear ambitions, and the violence that erupted in some Arab countries over a disgusting American-produced video critical of Islam and the Prophet Mohammad (PBUH).

In an obvious bid to neutralise the likelihood of any US (or international) criticism of Israel at the United Nations over its occupation of Palestinian areas, some Israeli leaders have come up with some fruitless shenanigans to put the blame on the Palestinians who have been under Israeli occupation for 45 years.

The Israeli Defence Minister, Ehud Barak, has declared in a press interview that the time had come for Israel to consider a move towards a separate state. He declared that the time has come “to take action to start the separation process” without waiting for a deal with the Palestinians. On the other hand, and to the disappointment of Palestinians, he proposed the annexation of three large colonies — Maale Adumim, Gush Etzion and Ariel — where some 350,000 Jews in the occupied West Bank live. His intentions were apparent. He went on: “This will not only help us with the Palestinians, but also with other countries in the region, with the American administration, and of course ourselves.”

One wonders why the wily Barak had not tried to convince his colleagues in the Israeli Cabinet before going public with his suggestion unless this was an empty gesture intended to silence an American outcry and/or severe reactions from the international community. Another possibility is that Barak has his eyes on the upcoming elections and is seeking to “distinguish” himself from the hardline Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

A leftist Israeli political party, Meretz, is also promoting a new peace plan to replace the Oslo Accord “by a new paradigm”, according to the Israeli newspaper Haaretz. The party’s chairwoman, Zahava Gal-on, told the paper that in accordance with their plan Israel would have to declare “without preconditions” that the conflict will be resolved by ending the occupation and with equal land swaps. The plan also calls on Israel to support the main points of the Arab Peace Initiative of 2002 which proposed normalised relations between Israel and the Arab states in return for a full Israeli withdrawal from all occupied Arab territories.

Even when Obama spoke at the UN. General Assembly,he was very clear except for his promise. He declared: “The road [to an a Palestinian-Israeli peace] is hard, but the destination is clear ? a secure, Jewish state of Israel and an independent, prosperous Palestine”

Following a loud applause, he continued: “Understanding that such a peace must come through a just agreement between the parties, America will walk alongside all who are prepared to make that journey.”

Well, that’s not very reassuring; certainly the two parties need someone to usher them around all the hurdles. Hopefully President of the Palestinian National Authority Mahmoud Abbas will once again, as scheduled for today, ask the United Nations to upgrade the Palestinians’ status from an “observer entity” to a non-member “observer state” ? a step that needs only the approval of the UN .General Assembly, where resolutions cannot be vetoed. If achieved, Palestine could join UN agencies such as the International Criminal Court, where Palestinian officials feel they could bring cases against Israel, considering their unconscionable actions in the occupied Palestinian areas.

If this course is achieved, the Obama administration is on record as having warned the financially-crippled Palestinians that they will be denied vital US financial aid. On the other hand,the Obama administration may face serious repercussions that may not be far from what was witnessed in the region this month, historically a troublesome period.


»
  • Printer-friendly version
  • Send by email
  • PDF version

TAGS:



American Task Force on Palestine - 1634 Eye St. NW, Suite 725, Washington DC 20006 - Telephone: 202-262-0017