Would a U.N.-recognized Palestine create 'endless Mideast conflict'?

A showdown is looming over a United Nations vote on the Palestinians' official status, and the long-stymied peace process hangs in the balance

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas announces his planned bid for Palestinian statehood recognition at the UN next week, which some say will lead only to war.
(Image credit: REUTERS/Darren Whiteside)

Tensions are rising in the Middle East, as Palestinian leaders prepare to ask the United Nations to recognize Palestinian statehood next week. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas could ask for a simple status upgrade (from observing entity to non-member state), which the General Assembly may very well approve. He also could request recognition as a full member state, but that would require Security Council approval. The U.S. is threatening to veto, which diplomats fear could stir up violence. Will the push for U.N. recognition of a Palestinian state be a step forward, or will it, as Israel warns, ruin any chance for Mideast peace?

This is a recipe for perpetual war: Israel, "surrounded by hostile forces," has no room for error when it comes to security, says Michael Elterman at Canada's Center for Israel and Jewish Affairs. Israel can only accept a Palestinian state as part of a signed peace deal. If the Palestinians get what they want in advance, they'll have "every incentive" to avoid negotiations and wait for the world to "lose any interest in genuine peace." That's "a prescription for endless conflict."

Subscribe to The Week

Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

SUBSCRIBE & SAVE
https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/flexiimages/jacafc5zvs1692883516.jpg

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

Sign up
To continue reading this article...
Continue reading this article and get limited website access each month.
Get unlimited website access, exclusive newsletters plus much more.
Cancel or pause at any time.
Already a subscriber to The Week?
Not sure which email you used for your subscription? Contact us