US House opposes unilateral declaration of 'Palestine'

[azurnoir]

Resolution introduced by Rep. Howard Berman and adopted by consensus supports negotiated solution to conflict, condemns unilateral moves.

US Congress on Thursday voted not to support a unilateral Palestinian declaration of statehood.

The House of Representatives passed a resolution expressing opposition to the PA's efforts to obtain recognition for a Palestinian country with 1967 borders, without an agreement with Israel.

According to a summary of the floor proceedings in the House on Wednesday, Berman moved to pass the resolution "supporting a negotiated solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and condemning unilateral measures to declare or recognize a Palestinian state."

During a visit to Cairo on Wednesday, US Mideast envoy George Mitchell said he intends to pursue "substantive" negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians, AFP reported.

http://www.jpost.com/International/Article.aspx?id=199650

[Violet_Crumble]

1. I bet they've never expressed opposition to any unilateral move made by Israel...

And that would include Israel's unilateral declaration of statehood decades ago. Being the one-sided hypocrites that they are, they only have a problem with the Palestinians, and more than likely most of them really do oppose any Palestinian state coming into being...

[leveymg]

2. On edit: Truman did recognize Israel on a de facto basis on May 14, 1948

And, this was opposed by the US delegation to the UN: http://www.trumanlibrary.org/israel/palestin.htm The UN vote authorizing partition into three zones, Jewish, Arab, and International (the city of Palestine) occurred on November 29, 1947.

May 14, 1948: late morning eastern standard time (late afternoon in Palestine): David Ben-Gurion, Israel's first prime minister, reads a "Declaration of Independence," which proclaims the existence of a Jewish state called Israel beginning on May 15, 1948, at 12:00 midnight Palestine time (6:00 p.m., May 14, 1948,eastern standard time).

May 14, 1948, 6 p.m. eastern standard time (12:00 midnight in Palestine): The British mandate for Palestine expires, and the state of Israel comes into being.

May 14, 1948, 6:11 p.m. eastern standard time: The United States recognizes Israel on a de facto basis. The White House issues the following statement: "This Government has been informed that a Jewish state has been proclaimed in Palestine, and recognition has been requested by the provisional government thereof. The United States recognizes the provisional government as the de facto authority of the State of Israel." To see a color copy of this document click here.

May 14, 1948, shortly after 6:11 p.m. eastern standard time: United States representative to the United Nations Warren Austin leaves his office at the United Nations and goes home. Secretary of State Marshall sends a State Department official to the United Nations to prevent the entire United States delegation from resigning.

This is all about putting the brakes on diplomatic pressure the US is now applying. There is widespread international support for recognizing Palestine, particularly within the EU. Mitchell's telling Netanyahu that if Israel continues to be unwilling to negotiate the terms of partition with the 1968 borders as a framework, the rest of the world is going to go ahead and vote in the UN to recognize the establishment of Palestine as a full voting Member along those lines.

This House vote undermines the Administration's negotiating strategy.

[Violet_Crumble]

3. What diplomatic pressure is the US applying now?

I know they offered all sorts of sweeteners if only Israel would agree to stop settlement construction for a mere 90 days. I wouldn't call that diplomatic pressure, but being incredibly wimpy and insipid where there was no need to be at all. It's the actual lack of backbone from the Obama administration that makes a declaration of statehood from Palestine one of very few options left in the current climate where the US isn't a fair and objective mediator, and where the Israeli govt is rejectionist and contains cabinet ministers who support a Greater Israel...

[leveymg]

5. The pressure is actually from third parties to recognize Palestine as a full state, regardless of

whether Israel agrees to the terms. The U.S. is saying, "look, you'd better negotiate in earnest, or the others will decide the terms for you."

That negotiating approach may be passive-aggressive, but it seems to be the only one that may work. I agree that we've all but forfeited any "honest broker" role, and the U.S. negotiating stance is divided against itself, but isn't that really the way it's always been?

[Violet_Crumble]

6. Yeah, that makes sense when you explain it like that... n/t

[azurnoir]

9. Obama does not have to follow the House he is Executive they are Legislative

and by now Obama should realize that his own party will under cut him on other items even domestic or only mouth 'support' in a 25th hour way as they did with the public option and health care reform

[shira]

4. And the US House is correct. Unilaterally declaring Palestine makes real peace an impossibility...

Why should the PA negotiate a real peace when they can have everything they want and still be in a state of war against Israel?

Those for declaring Palestine should admit this is a step backwards for peace. There's nothing more Israel can really give to the PA, Hamas, etc... to make peace after such a declaration.

[leveymg]

7. It's really not up to Israel to decide when and on what terms internationally-recognized borders are

going to be set, and whether most of the rest of the world recognizes Palestine as a full, independent state. When that happens, under the UN Charter, the international community will have to intervene to stop Israeli encroachment. The Israelis should negotiate now, while they still have an active role in working out terms.

To a limited extent, I agree - there may be some tactical advantage for the Palestinians to put off their declaration of statehood, but only temporarily.

[no_hypocrisy]

8. Query: What makes a declaration "legitimate"? When it's from The United Nations?

Is that how Israel was recognized when the day before it was part of "Palestine"?

[LeftishBrit]

10. I would support unilateral declaration of a Palestinian state.

May even be the only real potential solution by this stage. But it's not only the American Congress and Israeli Right that don't. Hamas have interfered every time to object to and prevent any realistic statehood declaration every time there's been a chance of it.

[hayu_lol]

11. The lack of a unified governmental body...

precludes the recognition of a 'new' state(country). There must be hundreds of activist groups proclaiming themselves the rulers of a new state. Who really, is in charge?

Once there is a unified governing body capable of exercising control of the Palestinian population and lands, then, and only then, can the new state be recognized.

As for right now, who would be in charge?