Palestinian Statehood: If not Now, When?

Palestinian Statehood: If not Now, When? by Stephen Lendman

Israel and Washington pulling out all the stops to subvert it.

After 63 years, including 44 under occupation, 85% of Palestinians want statehood now, not later or perhaps never.

Israel and Washington object, wanting permanent occupation and subjugation. 

A previous article said a "silent agreement" among Western powers may postpone Security Council and General Assembly votes for later dates to be announced.

Sources also claim Abbas wants it for more negotiating time with America.

Delay very much benefits Washington and Israel for reasons, including:

• more time for high-pressure strong-arming; 

• to get more anti-statehood Security Council votes to to avoid an embarrassing veto; 

• getting the issue out of headlines; and

• convincing Abbas to drop the idea altogether in return for special favors and enough sweetners to take home to say he got something.

On September 20, Los Times writer Paul Richter headlined, "UN may delay vote on Palestinian statehood application," saying: 

The plan calls for putting off a vote indefinitely to avoid an embarrassing US veto and let Washington try to restart peace talks that never worked before and won't now.

It "would also keep $600 million a year in American aid and other international assistance flowing to the Palestinians. Congress threatened to cut the US aid."

Unnamed sources said Abbas "signed off on the plan," providing more evidence of what he had in mind all along - betrayal while coming home with something to say he tried.

Whether other PA officials go along isn't known. However, according to PLO Executive Committee member and PA legislator Hanan Ashrawi:

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