Biden Administration Opposes Palestinians’ Renewed Application to UN for Statehood
by Karen Faulkner, Worthy News Correspondent
(Worthy News) – The US indicated Wednesday it does not support the Palestinian Authority’s renewed application to the United Nations for official recognition of a Palestinian state, the Times of Israel (TOI) reports.
Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, representing Palestinians living in the West Bank, on Tuesday submitted a letter to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres asking for the Security Council to reconsider recognizing the “State of Palestine,” TOI reports. The PA originally requested recognition in 2011, and although the “State of Palestine” was granted “Observer” status at the UN, full recognition was denied.
The renewed PA application comes as Hamas is embroiled in a war it started against Israel on Oct. 7 last year. While each represents one-half of the Palestinian population in Gaza and the West Bank, respectively, Hamas and the PA have been arch rivals and deadly enemies, unable to unite in leading the Palestinians: the PA is seeking to be the sole leader of a future Palestinian state.
Following the Oct. 7 Hamas massacre in Israel, the US Biden Administration has indicated its interest in a Palestinian state under “reformed” PA leadership. While not as overtly sworn to the destruction of Israel as Hamas is, the PA has openly and handsomely rewarded terrorists imprisoned for attacking Israelis by supporting their families financially; the US has said there must be “security guarantees” in place for Israel if the PA is to lead a Palestinian state.
In any event, the US said Wednesday that the PA should not seek a state through the United Nations. “We have always made clear that, while we support the establishment of an independent Palestinian state… that is something that should be done through direct negotiations through the parties — something we are pursuing at this time — and not at the United Nations,” State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said during a press briefing.
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