Palestine gains UN recognition as a state
Palestine this evening achieve recognition by the UN General Assembly as a non-member observer state.
138 countries voted in favour, nine against with 41 abstentions.
The result was greeted with cheering and applause in Ramallah although it is not expected to change much in real terms.
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said before the vote that a 'yes' vote would mean that the UN was handing Palestine its birth certificate.
The Israeli and US representatives said peace with two states for two peoples could only be achieved through direct negotiations. The US said the resolution was 'unfortunate and counter productive'.
Prior to the vote US Deputy Secretary of State William Burns made a personal appeal to Abbas promising that President Barack Obama would re-engage as a mediator in 2013 if Abbas abandoned the effort to seek statehood. The Palestinian leader refused.
The UN General AssemblyAbbas appealed to all nations to vote in favour of the Palestinians "as an investment in peace."
Malta was among the countries which backed the resolution, as did France and Spain, among other European countries. Germany and the UK abstained. Israel, the US and Canada were among those that voted against.
The Palestinians say they need UN recognition of a Palestinian state in the West Bank, Gaza and east Jerusalem, the lands Israel captured in 1967, to be able to resume negotiations with Israel. They say global recognition of the 1967 lines as the borders of Palestine is meant to salvage a peace deal, not sabotage it, as Israel claims.
The non-member observer state status could also open the way for possible war crimes charges against the Jewish state at the International Criminal Court.
"The resolution in the UN today won't change anything on the ground," Mr Netanyahu declared. "It won't advance the establishment of a Palestinian state, but rather, put it further off."
Mr Netanyahu's predecessors accepted the 1967 lines as a basis for border talks. Mr Netanyahu has rejected the idea, while pressing ahead with Jewish settlement building on war-won land, giving Mr Abbas little incentive to negotiate.
For Abbas, the UN bid is crucial if he wants to maintain his leadership and relevance, especially following the recent conflict between his Hamas rivals in Gaza and Israel. The conflict saw the Islamic militant group claim victory and raise its standing in the Arab world, while Mr Abbas' Fatah movement was sidelined and marginalised.
In a departure from previous opposition, the Hamas militant group, which rules the Gaza Strip, said it wouldn't interfere with the UN bid.
The US Congress has threatened financial sanctions if the Palestinians improve their status at the United Nations.
Unlike the Security Council, there are no vetoes in the General Assembly and the resolution to raise the Palestinian status from an observer to a non-member observer state only requires a majority vote for approval. To date, 132 countries - over two-thirds of the UN member states - have recognised the state of Palestine.
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John Sultana
Nov 30th 2012, 12:41
good luck to the state of Palestine! Hope you will have peace and be able to build a prosperous country for your people
twanny borg
Nov 30th 2012, 12:27
Hafna mill-kummenti ma jafux x'inhu jigri hemmhekk allura ahjar ma jghidu xejn. Il-maltin huma bias favur il-palestinjani. Jew ghall-anqas il-hafna.
martin chetcuti
Nov 30th 2012, 12:14
For those hoping that with this ''Win'' peace and stability are to be realised in the area well you are wrong for as Israeli and US representatives yesterday explained there can be NO piece between Ramallah and Jerusalem until Palestinians do recognise that Israel is a nation and yesterday Abbas never mentioned that let alone recognise it.
There must be 2 people and 2 nations...
Michael borg
Nov 30th 2012, 11:27
Well Done Palestine it was a moral victory and also the fact that finally it is recognised as a state. Peace to all
Tony Borg
Nov 30th 2012, 10:10
The land Israel won was from the Syrians and Egyptian occupation and not from the Palestinians. At that time they were silent.
But it is a good move, to have a Palestinian statehood at last.
AS for Obama, he'd better spring clean his foreign office and get their act together is this area.
Salvino Giusti
Nov 30th 2012, 09:27
(as well as the different Malte4se Ambassadors who served in New York from the 70's till now), contributed immeasurably towards the propagation and hopefully a finaly resolution of this crucial problem.
Salvino Giusti
Nov 30th 2012, 09:24
of the Palestinian People in various fora of the United Nations and elsewhere. Since the very beginning of active consideration of this problem by the United Nations, Malta occupied the prestigious role of Rapporteur on the Palestine Committee. Our Foreign Ministers, Dr Alex Sciberras Trigona, Dr George Vella and later Prof Guido DeMarcocontributed immeasurably
E Schembri
Nov 30th 2012, 09:23
Well done!
It is good to see that the majority of the global community can think for themselves and not bow down to US pressure.
NEVER trust the US!
W. Cassar
Nov 30th 2012, 09:23
America always says they are the bearers of democracy and freedom... however when it comes to Palestine they turn a blind eye. They are not the true fighters of freedom, only when it suits them.
Salvino Giusti
Nov 30th 2012, 09:19
I am happy to observe that Nalta voted in favour of this resolution. For many, many, years practically the entire human and material resources of our Embassy to the United Nations in New York (For 13 years I was living testimony to all this), were dedicated almost exclusively to the relentless support and active promotion of the inalienable rights of the Palestinian People ....
victor caruana
Nov 30th 2012, 09:12
The US spokespersons argue in a way that either they believe their own lies or else they consider all others as imbeciles.
Franco Attard Trevisan
Nov 30th 2012, 08:42
FINALLY!!!!!!!!!!! Good luck Palestine!!!!!
David Caruana
Nov 30th 2012, 08:11
'The US Congress has THREATENED financial sanctions IF the Palestinians IMPROVE THEIR STATUS at the United Nations.'
Says a lot about the US and its Zionist cronies. If you try to improve your situation, I'll slap you - that is their mentality.
I am proud that Malta supported the birth of Palestine.
Long live Palestine! May you grow and prosper in the years to come.
Doris Sarlo
Nov 30th 2012, 08:06
The US Congress has threatened financial sanctions if the Palestinians improve their status at the United Nations.
Shame on America!
An important step for Palestine!
Michael Grech
Nov 30th 2012, 08:06
Long live Palestine! Well done Malta for supporting this just and rightful cause
Carmel Garcia
Nov 30th 2012, 07:48
Who conquers the world, USA and Israel, or the United Nations? Well done Palestine and hope you will have your own indipendent state a will be recognised by the whole world. Piece will be with you all of Palestine. THE TRUTH ALWAYS WIN.
Dorielle Soler
Nov 30th 2012, 07:38
Finally !
Justin Spiteri
Nov 30th 2012, 07:30
Against all odds, David and Goliath in reverse, well done Palestine.
pat muscat
Nov 30th 2012, 07:06
After decades of waiting and suffering, Palestine is on the way to their deserved statehood. Well done Malta!
George Busuttil
Nov 30th 2012, 07:06
The US did what was expected of it, bow down to what Israel demands. So much for Obama!
Mr Joseph Bartolo
Nov 30th 2012, 06:28
I would say that isreal is a great state of its own right, its only the coruppt elite their thats making a very bad name of the majority of Isrealies. In turn I am so happy that the Palestinian people are fully recignized by so mant nations including our own Malta. I wish you the very best future beloved palestinians with a peaceful, happy and prosperous future for all your citizens.
Joseph Camilleri
Nov 30th 2012, 00:25
Well Done Palestine ! We await the day when we see you back again to your former glory as a state.
Toni Borg
Nov 29th 2012, 23:19
Why is the USA always backing Israel?
Are Israeli businessmen actually running he US!!!
E Schembri
Nov 30th 2012, 09:16
Helloo.... Isn't it obvious?
The US acts like it is Mr Big Brother telling the entire world what to do, but in reality it will also sacrifice its own people in the name of money and power.
Never trust the US ...and Israel
http://rememberbuilding7.org/
Charles Micallef
Nov 29th 2012, 23:00
Those who love and want to see peace in Palestine would also love to see the recognition of the Palestine state coming into fruition, it is a bold step forward.
Alfred Falzon
Nov 29th 2012, 22:58
Those who rule Israel & have d welfare of their people @ heart must realise that by humiliating Abbas' Fatah Movement & opposing moderate Palestinians' bid for nationhood are only playing into d hands of terrorist organisations d like of Hamas backed by Iran and Lebanese Hizbollah!
Al-Fatah has recognised Israel though borders still need to b redefined.
Stop the bickering!
Alf A Falzon
Joe Borg
Nov 29th 2012, 22:42
Well done Palestine. This is not only a victory to the Palestinian Arabs, who have been living in their home land for hundreds of years, but also to humanity... Its a reminder that justice still does exist, even though such move should have been done like 60 years ago. Better late than never.
Joseph Brincat
Nov 29th 2012, 22:07
GOOD luck Palestine
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