Timely support

His Majesty King Abdullah’s visit to Ramallah for talks with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas is the second, in time, but first in importance.

The Palestinians are passing through difficult circumstances, so there couldn’t be a better time to stand by them in solidarity.

The Monarch reassured the Palestinians that Jordan stands by them and that support for their steadfastness in unwavering, no matter how challenging the current developments in the Middle East are.

No less important is the King’s wish to see all Palestinian factions united, as one stance, one voice, stands a better chance of being heard and carries more weight than fragmentation.

Jordan is willing and able to act as a mediator between Palestinian groups, who should realise that the pursuit of statehood is better served by national reconciliation.

The Palestinians are in the midst of efforts to gain recognition and admission to international organisations. While their bid to join UNESCO was a success, their quest for admission to the UN itself is facing obstacles from certain quarters, especially the US, which enjoys veto power at the UN Security Council.

Jordan can still aid and support the Palestinians’ bid to gain admission to the UN through the UN General Assembly. There is in place a valid UN resolution called “Uniting for Peace”, which aims to bypass resolutions blocked at the Security Council. The Palestinians may want to take that route if all fails at the council.

An overwhelming decision by the UN General Assembly supporting recognition of Palestine as an independent state would no doubt send a strong message to the US and other powers standing in the way of the Palestinians’ legitimate right to attain statehood and be accepted as a full member of the international organisation.

Jordan can offer its diplomatic skills in that respect at the UN headquarters in New York.