World Leaders Recognize Palestinian State, in a Challenge to U.S. and Israel

 

World Leaders Recognize Palestinian State, in a Challenge to U.S. and Israel

 

Leaders from across the globe convened in New York on Monday to support Palestinian statehood, over opposition from Israel and the United States, as the Gaza Strip neared the two-year mark of a war that has brought mass death, destruction and hunger.

A summit meeting organized by France and Saudi Arabia ahead of the annual United Nations General Assembly in New York was portrayed as an urgent effort to salvage the long-deferred vision of a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. But as Israel continues its offensive in Gaza City against Hamas, and rapidly expands its settlements in the West Bank, the notion seems more distant than ever.

“We must pave the way for peace,” President Emmanuel Macron of France said, to applause from those at the meeting and a standing ovation from the Palestinian delegation. “Today, France recognizes the state of Palestine.” He noted recent statements of recognition, some not yet formalized, by Britain, Canada, Australia, Portugal, Belgium and several others.

The Israeli ambassador to the United Nations, Danny Danon, told reporters, “We will take action” in response to the announcements. He declined to say if that would mean, as some Israeli officials have suggested, expanded settlements or outright annexations in the territory that has been envisioned as a Palestinian state. Israel’s response, he said, would be announced by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who will address the United Nations gathering and meet this week with President Trump. – The New York Times

Our Take: So what happens when the entire world recognizes the state of Palestine other than the one country trying to erase it from existence?
– Jon Herold

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Another Take: Mahmoud Abbas, leader of the Palestinian Authority, said the authority would form the government of the West Bank and Gaza, with no role for Hamas. The United States denied a visa for Mr. Abbas to attend the events in New York, so he addressed the meeting on Monday by video. Addressing the people of Israel, he said: “Our future and yours depends on peace. Enough war.”

Amen.

Bit by bit, country by country, the world is moving away from Israel's desire for never-ending conquest and adopting a benevolent supporting posture for Palestine.

The world must be very careful in this moment, and move with purpose. Under Israeli law, it is both legal and ethical to do anything and everything to protect Israeli national security — including assassination and mass casualty events. Israel is now a cornered animal, and when animals are cornered that is when they are most dangerous.

No surprise that the animosity is spilling over to the internet, where Israeli surrogates are becoming increasingly unhinged and venomous in their rhetoric. Now is the time that we must be calm, courageous, and true to God.
— GhostofBasedPatrickHenry