Arab League backs Palestinian statehood bid at the UN

[News_Editor]

Arab League backs Palestinian statehood bid at the UN

2011-07-15 00:18:38 GMT+7 (ICT)

DOHA (BNO NEWS) -- The Secretary-General of the Arab League on Thursday announced that the Arab League has decided to go to the United Nations to seek recognition of a Palestinian state and a full membership.

"The Committee decided to go to the UN to invite all member states to recognize the Palestinian state and mobilize for a full membership status at both the Security Council and the General Assembly," Secretary-General of the Arab League, Nabil al Arabi, said following a meeting of the Arab Follow-up Committee in the Qatari capital of Doha, as cited by Palestine News Network.

More than 115 out of 193 countries have currently recognized the State of Palestine and those are seen as supporters if the UN votes on the issue. Those states may seek recognition of the Palestinian state based on the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital.

Earlier this month, the United States warned Palestinians that they would risk U.S. aid cuts if they pursue their plans at the United Nations without talks with Israel first. There are also reports that the United States would veto any UN bill to recognize Palestine.

The UN debate on the Middle East is scheduled to take place during the last week of July and a vote on recognition of the State of Palestine is said to be in September.

In May, U.S. President Barack Obama called on the Israelis and Palestinians to renew peace talks for a two-state solution based on the 1967 lines with mutually agreed upon swaps. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rejected the solution based on the 1967 borders as that measure will leave a large population of Israelis in Judea and Samaria and outside Israel's borders.

Last year, Israel and the Palestinian Authority stalled the peace negotiations, which were supported by the United States and the United Nations, after the Jewish nation refused to extend a moratorium on settlement building in occupied Palestinian territory in September.

In response, President Abbas broke off direct talks after as recommended by Hamas. Israel resumed settlement constructions even though they were labeled as a violation of international law by the international community.

Palestine demanded a stop to settlement construction in the disputed East Jerusalem and West Bank area as a key element for continuing peace talks, aimed at reaching a two-state solution based in the 1967 Green Line.

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