The United
Nations General Assembly on November 29, 2012 voted to recognize Palestinians
as an 'observer state', a largely symbolic upgrade in status that drew
criticism and potential financial penalties from the US and Israel.
The
193-member General Assembly voted 139.9, with 41 abentions, for a resolution
granting the Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO) an implicit form of
statehood, putting it on a par in the world body both the Holy See.
The most
significant ramification is that the Palestinians will be able to speak at UN
meetings, join United Nations agencies and sign treaties, such as the Rome
Statute that established the International Criminal Court.
Just
before the voting, Palestinan Authority President Mahomoud Abbas had appealed
for support, saying the action would amount to a 'birth certificate' for
Palestine. It will give hope to millions and save a peace process in 'intensive
care', he said, even as the US and Israel called the UN action a setback to the
peace process.
Israeli
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the UN vote, which his office called a
'meaningless decision', will hinder the peace process.
US ambassador
to the UN Susan Rice called the resolution 'unfortunate and
counter-productive. She added, "The
grand pronouncements will soon fade, and the Palestinians will wake up tomorrow
and find that little of their lives has changed, save that the prospects of a
durable peace have only receded."
A
main question arises here is that is it a Symbolic Win or Birth Certificate?
UN General
Assembly votes 138.9 to recognize Palestine as anon-member observer' state.
Grants Palestine Liberation Organisation an implicit form of statehood, putting
it on a par in the world body with the Holy See
What it Means
• Gives international backing to Palestinian
demands for sovereignty over lands Israel occupied in 1856.
• Palestinians will be able to join UN
agencies sign traties, for going after Israel for alleged war crimes at the
International Criminal Court.
Limited Power
• Won't grant independence to 4.3 m
Palestinians who live in the West Bank, east Jerusalem and Gaza-Strip.
• Palestinian observers can speak at UNGA
meets; take part in procedural votes, sponsor and sign resolutions, Cannot vote
on resolutions and other substantive matters.
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