US attempts to delay Palestinian statehood vote

Story from The Takeaway. Listen to audio for full report.

The Obama administration is scrambling to avert a vote on Palestinian statehood at a meeting of the United Nations General Assembly next week. The Palestinian Authority and its allies say the vote would get the months-stalled peace process moving again toward a two-state solution. The move comes as Israel has seen a significant deterioration in diplomatic ties with Egypt and Turkey, its closest allies in the region.

David Kirkpatrick, Cairo bureau chief for The New York Times, says statehood would allow Palestine, among other things, to press charges against Israel settlers in the International Criminal Court.

“That’s a disaster for Israel. It would be symbolic,  I mean it wouldn’t create a real state on the ground, but it would be empowering for the Palestinians,” Kirkpatrick told The Takeaway.

Egypt and Turkey — two long-time allies of Israel — have recently backed Palestine’s efforts, adding more pressure to an already difficult diplomatic situation for the U.S., which hopes to avoid casting a veto in the Security Council against Palestinian statehood, as well as a more symbolic gesture in the General Assembly.

“Executing that veto would be a real black-eye for the U.S. in terms of its efforts at diplomacy in the Arab world because it would look, to the Arab world like the U.S. was once again carrying Israel’s water,” Kirkpatrick.

Here’s what some PRI Facebook fans had to say about the U.S.’ actions in this area:

Rikka Filkins Bos: For the same reasons they’ve been hesitating for 100 years. Even a cursory study of the region’s history shows that nothing has really changed there, for better or for worse. Everyone knows there needs to be a two state solution, we’ve known that from the beginning. But to realize such an outcome would require ceding power (and, dare I say it, pride) and resources, as well as accepting the reality that no amount of land, wealth or military might guarantees invincibility.

Robert Wren: we are trying to protect 60 years of bad policy

Nathan David Teegarden: In this area, the US does what AIPAC tells them to do. A lot of votes, campaign donations, and defense contracts depend on it.

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“The Takeaway” is a national morning news program, delivering the news and analysis you need to catch up, start your day, and prepare for what’s ahead. The show is a co-production of WNYC and PRI, in editorial collaboration with the BBC, The New York Times Radio, and WGBH.