The American Center for Law and Justice (ACLJ) - focusing on domestic and international law - said today's announcement by a committee of the United Nations Security Council that support among member nations to back statehood for the Palestinians has fallen short is "welcomed news" and underscores the fact that Palestinian statehood should not be decided by unilateral action by the U.N.
"This announcement is welcomed news and sets the stage for a fresh start for what many hope will be a meaningful and lasting peace in the Middle East," said Jay Sekulow, Chief Counsel of the ACLJ. "The fact that there are not enough member nations that will vote to recognize a Palestinian state reiterates what most of the world understands - the pathway to statehood for the Palestinians must occur through negotiations with Israel, not unilateral action by the United Nations. The U.N. made the correct decision and it's now time for the real peace negotiations to begin."
The ACLJ has been actively engaged in this issue for months with its legislative and legal teams working at the United Nations. The ACLJ, along with its international affiliates, also has been working on this issue abroad through its offices in France and Israel.
One option available to the Palestinians - they could still call for a vote by the U.N. Security Council. But without 9 votes, their bid for statehood would fail. If that scenario unfolds, the United States would not have to use its veto and the outcome would be the same - no statehood for the Palestinians and another international embarrassment for the Palestinian leaders.
"Today's developments make one thing very clear: most member nations - not just the U.S. and Israel - do not have faith in the ability of the Palestinians to function as a State," said Sekulow. "With a divided government, including terrorist groups like Hamas vying for power, the best solution and most workable option really is what should have been taking place all along - sit-down with Israel and start working on meaningful negotiations - the only true pathway to peace."
Led by Chief Counsel Jay Sekulow, the American Center for Law and Justice, along with its international affiliates around the globe, focuses on domestic and international law. The ACLJ is headquartered in Washington, D.C. is online at www.aclj.org.
