Palestinians to Press UN Vote Despite US Veto Warning

Local Editor

The Palestinians are to push on Wednesday with a draft UN resolution demanding an end to "Israeli" occupation in West Bank and East al-Quds despite warnings the United States is ready to veto the measure.

An Arab-backed text setting November 2016 as the deadline for an "Israeli" withdrawal was to be formally submitted to the UN Security Council. The 15-member council will vote at a later date.

"We will submit our project to the UN Security Council tomorrow," Nimr Hammad, an adviser to Palestinian Authority president Mahmud Abbas, said.

The decision follows the latest series of meetings between US Secretary of State John Kerry, "Israeli" Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Palestinian negotiators and European ministers.
"Many of us share a deep sense of urgency about this," Kerry said, "But we're also very mindful that we have to carefully calibrate any steps that are taken for this difficult moment in the region."

The Palestinians began circulating a draft at the end of September, after Abbas told the UN General Assembly that it was time to fast-track Palestinian statehood.
The text, put forward by the Arab group, calls for "the full withdrawal of "Israel", the occupying power, from all of the Palestinian territory occupied since 1967, including East al-Quds."

This should be completed "as rapidly as possible and to be fully completed within a specified timeframe, not to exceed November 2016."
It asks the world body to respect "the independence and sovereignty of the state of Palestine and the right to self-determination of the Palestinian people."

France stepped into the fray last month and, with Britain and Germany, began discussing options for a separate resolution setting a timeframe for negotiations on a final settlement.

Mohammed Shtayyeh, a member of Abbas's inner circle, said France had "accommodated" the Palestinians and delegates were working on a merged text.
"If we do not succeed, the Palestinian people are not going to go away. The Palestinian question is not going to evaporate," said Palestinian Ambassador Riyad Mansour earlier this week.
"We will be entering into a new stage."

In the latest sign of the mounting tension, Mansour warned of more confrontation on the ground and said the Palestinians were ready to take action at the General Assembly and at the International Criminal Court to gain recognition and justice.
"We are better equipped today to defend our cause in the international arena than before," said Mansour.

Shtayyeh said the United States wanted any draft resolution to be put off until after an "Israeli" general election in March.

Source: News Agencies, Edited by website team