Palestinians Support UN Membership Amid Diplomatic Efforts and Prisoner Release Deal

Strategic Insights -

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas' decision to submit a request for Palestine to become a full and permanent member of the United Nations (UN) was not a surprise to many, given the frustration with the lack of progress in negotiations with Israel. The timing of the bid, however, was strategically chosen to coincide with the prisoner release deal, which brought emotional relief to thousands of Palestinians who were reunited with family members. Abbas believes that diplomatic efforts will yield better results for the Palestinian people than armed resistance. The Palestinian Liberation Organisation (PLO) leadership shares this view, warning that renewed violence would have disastrous consequences for the Palestinian cause.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Palestinian Authority's (PA) diplomatic approach aims to secure international recognition for Palestine as a non-member state in the UN, in addition to entering other international organisations like UNESCO and the World Trade Organization.
  • The bid for UN membership represents a shift in strategy from negotiations with Israel, which have failed to deliver results in over 18 years.
  • The PA leadership hopes that a majority of countries will support the Palestinian bid at the UN General Assembly, putting pressure on countries that do not recognize Palestine.
  • The prisoner release deal has shown that Hamas' militant approach can yield results, but it remains to be seen whether the Palestinian people will maintain faith in the non-violent approach.
  • The international community's response to the Palestinian bid will be crucial in determining whether the Palestinian diplomatic efforts will be successful.
  • The European Parliament and other international organisations are being targeted by the Palestinian leadership for recognition and support.
  • The Hamas prisoner release deal has raised concerns that the Palestinian people may lose faith in the non-violent approach if diplomatic efforts do not yield results.

Statistics:

  • 78% of historical Palestine would be given up by recognizing a state of Israel within the 1967 borders.
  • Over 18 years, there has been no progress in negotiations between the Palestinians and Israel.
  • Only a few weeks passed between the prisoner release deal and Abbas' request to recognize Palestine as a full and permanent member of the UN.
  • 1967 borders are considered a great compromise in the eyes of the Palestinian people.

Sources:

  • [1] Common Ground News Service (CGNews), 25 October 2011, www.commongroundnews.org
  • [2] Bikya Masr