In today's Jerusalem Post there is this:
EU's Solana says world should recognize Palestinian state
The European Union's top diplomat has called for the United Nations Security Council to push forward and recognize a Palestinian state even without a final-status agreement between Israel and the Palestinians.
What would happen if the Palestinian Authority simply unilaterally declared Independence, establishing an independent state with the boundaries of the new state based on the June 4 1967 Armistice lines? And then appealed to the world community for recognition and support for peaceful recovery of the lands now occupied?
More below the fold:
Last Year, Russia's foreign Minister stated:
World would back Palestine independence'
There is no doubt that if Palestine unilaterally declared independence many nations would recognize it, says Russia's Foreign Minister.
Sergey Lavrov
What would the Obama Administration do if the Palestinian People simply declared independence and appealed to the UN and the International Community for recognition of Statehood and peaceful adjudication of territorial claims?
Over 20 years ago, the PLO in Algiers did approve and promulgate a Declaration of Independence, written by Mahmoud Darwish
In pursuance of Resolutions adopted by Arab Summit Conferences and relying on the authority bestowed by international legitimacy as embodied in the Resolutions of the United Nations Organization since 1947;
And in exercise by the Palestinian Arab people of its rights to self-determination, political independence and sovereignty over its territory,
The Palestine National Council, in the name of God, and in the name of the Palestinian Arab people, hereby proclaims the establishment of the State of Palestine on our Palestinian territory with its capital Jerusalem (Al-Quds Ash-Sharif).
and
“Palestine is the state of Palestinians wherever they may be”
The State of Palestine is the state of Palestinians wherever they may be. The state is for them to enjoy in it their collective national and cultural identity, theirs to pursue in it a complete equality of rights. In it will be safeguarded their political and religious convictions and their human dignity by means of a parliamentary democratic system of governance, itself based on freedom of expression and the freedom to form parties.
The rights of minorities will duly be respected by the majority, as minorities must abide by decisions of the majority. Governance will be based on principles of social justice, equality and non-discrimination in public rights of men or women, on grounds of race, religion, color or sex, and the aegis of a constitution which ensures the rule of law and an independent judiciary. Thus shall these principles allow no departure from Palestine's age-old spiritual and civilizational heritage of tolerance and religious coexistence.
And
Peaceful Coexistence Between States
It further announces itself to be a peace-loving State, in adherence to the principles of peaceful co-existence. It will join with all states and peoples in order to assure a permanent peace based upon justice and the respect of rights so that humanity's potential for well-being may be assured, an earnest competition for excellence may be maintained, and in which confidence in the future will eliminate fear for those who are just and for whom justice is the only recourse.
In the context of its struggle for peace in the land of Love and Peace, the State of Palestine calls upon the United Nations to bear special responsibility for the Palestinian Arab people and its homeland. It calls upon all peace-and freedom-loving peoples and states to assist it in the attainment of its objectives, to provide it with security, to alleviate the tragedy of its people, and to help it terminate Israel's occupation of the Palestinian territories.
Renouncing Use of Force, Violence and Terrorism
The State of Palestine herewith declares that it believes in the settlement of regional and international disputes by peaceful means, in accordance with the U.N. Charter and resolutions. With prejudice to its natural right to defend its territorial integrity and independence, it therefore rejects the threat or use of force, violence and terrorism against its territorial integrity or political independence, as it also rejects their use against territorial integrity of other states.
Full text Text of the Palestinian Declaration of Independence - Algiers Declaration (1988)
Twenty one years ago, think of it. What is preventing the Palestinians from renewing this document?
Well, one reason is the lack of a Palestinian Unified Government, Hams and Fatah are in a low scale civil war, each backed by other geopolitical players.
Progress towards Palestinian uniyy has been slow, with HAmas demanding release of political prisoners, and a prompt election, and Fatah has been reluctant to do so.
If the Palestinians unify and declare independence, should the US recognize them? Say it comes to a UN resolution to accept the independent state of Palestine, should the US Veto it?