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Bid for Palestinian Statehood Presents Difficulties

September 14, 2011

The plan by Palestinian Authority officials to ask the United Nations for recognition of its statehood at the General Assembly meetings next week has provoked intense anxiety in Jerusalem and Washington. The United States wants a compromise solution that will end the Palestinian Authority’s pledge to seek statehood status before the matter goes to the Security Council, where many expect the U.S. would veto the measure. 

Nonresident Senior Fellow Shibley Telhami says that with growing support for the move from a number of Arab countries, the possible action puts the U.S in a difficult position. Even though peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians stalled some time ago, observers say the Authority’s move could further inflame the dicey situation between the two parties.