The Post-Standard · Syracuse, New York · 14 September 2011

CP-2011-017

Palestinian Statehood

US diplomacy could help bring peace to region

By Ken Frieden and Dr. Anis Obeid

Shown from the top. The whole column — 3.9 times taller than it is wide — is in the enlargement.

Scan 531 × 2048 pixels

Transcribed from the clipping

The Palestinian Authority seems to be moving ahead with its plan to request United Nations recognition of an independent Palestinian state along the 1967 borders. This action would be the culmination of decades of Palestinian frustration over their failure to achieve statehood through a negotiated settlement with the state of Israel.

Instead of rushing to oppose or reject this Palestinian initiative, the U.S. government should act constructively, and in a balanced manner, to foster a positive outcome. An effort to achieve recognition of an independent Palestinian state is likely to receive enough support in the U.N. General Assembly to acquire international legitimacy.

The Palestinians point out that they have waited long enough as their land has been expropriated and Israeli settlements continue to expand, while some observers and experts feel that facts on the ground are rapidly diminishing the possibility for any two-state solution.

Thus, the Palestinian leadership may believe that this is the last chance to attain their goal of establishing independence. The Palestinian leadership must be aware of the burdens of statehood, the limitations of a unilateral proclamation and the responsibility for effective governance under fragile and unstable conditions.

How should the U.S. government deal with this serious challenge and its repercussions? On the one hand, voting in favor of Palestinian statehood is a position that is supported by the international community, including our Western allies and our friends in the Arab world, yet such a decision would very likely be opposed by segments of our society and by members of Congress.

On the other hand, using our veto power to block Palestinian statehood would risk losing stature in the eyes of the international community and credibility in the Arab and Muslim world.

How this transcription was made

Read from the scan by a machine looking at the image of the page, not by optical character recognition and not by a person. The clipping carries no masthead and no dated folio line, so the date recorded here could not be checked against anything printed on the page. Nothing on the page contradicts it.

Cite this clipping

More from The Post-Standard

• Ire of Palestinian Jews Stressed in Book ReviewThe Post-Standard · 9 January 1947
• Jews Against GenocideThe Post-Standard · 29 June 1982
• Palestinians Boost Image at NegotiationsThe Post-Standard · 4 November 1991
• 'Day of rage' brings new round of bloodshed to Jerusalem's holiest siteThe Post-Standard · 7 October 2000
• Tears amid FlamesThe Post-Standard · 12 November 2004
• Palestinian premier renews pledge not to recognize IsraelThe Post-Standard · 7 October 2006
• 2 more from this paper in the full text →

More from the 2010s

• IOC holds talks over Israel-Palestinian tiesTimes Record News · 21 January 2011
• This the Israel we want?The Times Argus · 15 May 2011
• Israeli leader cool on Obama’s Palestine requestThe Coeur d’Alene Press · 21 May 2011
• Palestinian statehoodDaily American · 27 May 2011
• Boxing BrothersMarshall News Messenger · 23 July 2011
• Israeli and Palestinian boxers train at the Maccabi Jerusalem Boxing ClubThe Tribune · 23 July 2011
• All 321 clippings from the 2010s →