Arab Leaders Warn Against Unilateral State
The Palestinian leadership continued to build up international support for a declaration of independence this week, despite warnings from within and other Arab states that the move would be dangerous.
As Israel focused on the possible implications of a UN resolution creating a Palestinian state, Jordan's King Abdullah II advised Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas to reconsider the Palestinian statehood bid, Saudi Arabian newspaper Al-Madina reported on Tuesday.
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However, Abbas this week reiterated plans to ask UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon to consider recognising a Palestine state. According to Abbas, he has already secured the support of 122 member states and expects that number to rise to 129 by the day of the vote.
The majority of EU states are believed to be undecided about whether to support the resolution and its foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton visited the region to discuss the situation with leaders on both sides.
Israeli Defence Minister Ehud Barak reportedly discussed with Ashton the proposed wording of the resolution, an indication that Israel had accepted that Abbas was unlikely to change his mind.
Israeli leaders, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, underlined their opposition to the move, stressing their belief that the road towards a Palestinian state must be through direct negotiations.
"The unilateral demand of the Palestinians is a violation of commitments by the Palestinians in their agreements with Israel," Netanyahu said after holding talks with Norwegian Foreign Minister Jonas Gahr-Store.
But in interviews with the Arab media this week, Abbas said he believes the UN move will increase the prospects for peace.
"This will be the beginning to end the conflict and will establish a situation of peace, justice and co-existence instead of oppression and aggression," he said.
The Israeli army, meanwhile, has begun preparing for the possible repercussions of a UN resolution. The IDF expects "mass disorder" to follow a UN vote, and may even provide settlers with tear gas and stun grenades to protect their settlements.
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