BICOM

According to a report in today’s Haaretz newspaper, the Palestinian Authority is planning to approach the United Nations Security Council in July, in order to begin the process that they hope will lead to the recognition of a Palestinian state by the UN General Assembly in September. The General Assembly is authorised to recognise a new state as a full member only if the Security Council recommends it. The PA, according to the report, expects that the US will use its veto to prevent this. However, the Palestinian leadership is reported to consider that it has an interest in forcing Washington to use its veto, in order to demonstrate what it regards as Washington’s isolation from broader international opinion on the issue of a unilateral Palestinian drive for statehood. Following this, the PA hopes that the General Assembly will recognise a Palestinian state without it being a full UN member. To complete the requirements that would lead to a vote in the General Assembly, the Palestinians must apply by mid-July at the latest.

Meanwhile, renewed protests by Palestinians and their supporters are expected to take place in June, in the framework of remembering the Arab defeat in the Six Day War of 1967 – known in Arabic as the ‘Naksa’ (setback). The protests are expected to take a similar form to those of 15 May, including marches on Israel’s borders by Palestinians.