Palestinians Halt Bid for United Nations Recognition

Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas has decided to shelve for the moment his campaign to win recognition of statehood and full membership in the United Nations. Word of the policy decision came from Foreign Minister Riad Al-Malki, speaking in Tehran at the non-aligned nations conference, who said Abbas will nevertheless bring it up in his UN speech but will not move forward with the application to the General Assembly. Many have argued that since full membership is not in the cards because it requires a Security Council enabling resolution that President Obama has promised to veto, a pyrrhic victory in the General Assembly, where a clear majority supports the Palestinian quest, will only serve to sour relations with Washington. Israel’s concern with the Palestinians’ seeking non-member status relates to the standing the Palestinian Authority would have before the International Criminal Court where it could be expected to file countless suits alleging war crimes against present and former army officers, many of whom are now diplomats.