The second point below reaffirms Israel’s criticism of Sweden’s vote because it make an agreement hard to achieve, i.e., because it will make the PA more intransigent. Unfortunately she didn’t explain herself here.
But the second point is very hypocritical, because the US keeps calling for ’67 lines plus swaps. Is that not also “a unilateral step…that attempt[s] to prejudge the outcome of final status negotiations.” Ted Belman
State Department spokeswoman says PA’s resolution to “end the occupation” attempts to “prejudge the outcome of final status negotiations.”
The United States made clear on Tuesday that it is against the Palestinian Authority’s plan to submit a draft resolution to the UN Security Council calling for an end date for “Israeli occupation”.
State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki said that Secretary of State JohnKerry reiterated to Palestinian chief negotiator Saeb Erekat, during a Monday meeting in Washington, that the U.S. was opposed “to unilateral steps by either party that attempt to prejudge the outcome of final status negotiations.”
Urging the UN to call for an end to the Israeli occupation “contradicts their stated goal of a two-state solution and having their own state, an aspiration we support,” Psaki added.
Earlier Tuesday, a senior official said the PA would submit the draft resolution later this month.
The PA has been under intense pressure not to push forward with the Security Council resolution, which Washington would have the power to veto.
In response, chief negotiator Saeb Erekat declared several weeks ago that if the United States vetoed the PA’s UN resolution, the PA would apply formembership to 522 international organizations and statutes – in violation of previous treaties with Israel.
Erekat said in a statement quoted by the Ma’an news agency that the PA should also seek recognition by EU countries, especially after the new Swedish prime minister’s announcement that his country would recognize “Palestine” and the British parliament’s symbolic vote to do the same.
The plans for the resolution have been accompanied by threats from PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas and his aides. Abbas recently threatened to cut ties with Israel if his latest unilateral move at the UN fails.
“If all efforts fail, we will end relations with Israel and I will tell Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu, ‘Come and take over’. However, I will not dismantle the Palestinian Authority and I will submit a request to join all the organizations belonging to the UN,” he declared.
Fatah leader Nabil Shaath recently threatened Israel with a “political war” if there is a negative response to Abbas’s steps at the United Nations.
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