Arabs endorse Palestinian U.N. draft urging end of Israel occupation.

[another_liberal]

Source: Reuters

(Reuters) - Arab U.N. delegations on Monday endorsed a Palestinian proposal to forge a peace deal with Israel within a year and end Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories by late 2017, despite fierce Israeli and U.S. opposition. The timing for a U.N. vote on a measure that faces almost certain defeat is unclear.

Several Western council diplomats told Reuters they had been surprised by the Palestinians' sudden push to submit a final draft resolution to the United Nations Security Council on Monday and put it to a vote on Tuesday or Wednesday.

Jordanian U.N. Ambassador Dina Kawar, the sole Arab representative on the council, told reporters all 22 Arab delegations endorsed the Palestinian proposal, and the Jordanians and Palestinians would consult immediately on "the best time to cast the vote in the Security Council." When asked if the vote could be delayed until next year, she said, "Everything is possible." Kawar previously said she would like a resolution that was backed by all 15 council members including the United States. A U.S. State Department spokesman said the Palestinian draft resolution was not constructive and failed to address Israel's security needs.

Nine Security Council votes are needed to adopt a resolution, which would then force the United States, Israel's closest ally, to decide whether to veto it. Washington would be expected to vote against it, diplomats say.



Read more: http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/12/29/us-mideast-israel-palestinians-idUSKBN0K70J020141229

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Mention of a delay until early next year is of particular importance since five allies of the United States will end their two year terms on the Security Council then. They will be replaced by five nations who are far more likely to vote in favor of the Palestinian resolution. The United States would then be forced to use its veto, angering a number of Arab and Muslim countries who may respond by leaving our coalition fighting the Islamic State forces in Syria and Iraq.