The Importance of Recognition the UN for Palestine

VIVAnews - Increase the status of Palestine at the UN is not just a symbolic move to get the recognition of sovereignty. However, this also means an increase in the status of the growing role of the Palestinians in the international arena, and this is the most feared by Israel.

Palestinians marked the victory with the support of 138 UN member states and only 9 were rejected, while 41 abstained. Status "entity" that carried the Palestinians since 1974 has now turned into a "non-member state".

With this new status, the Palestinian position is equivalent to the Vatican. Previously, Switzerland was also a non-member observer state for over 50 years and has become a permanent member in 2002.

With this status, the Palestinians have the right to speak at the UN General Assembly. To be non-members do not have a vote in the Security Council which is definitely going to be vetoed by the United States. This year the Palestinians have experienced when trying to become UN member states.

"Palestine from now will be considered as the state, law and international relations. But it can not be a member of the UN, because they have a vote in the UN Security Council," said Iain Scobbie, Professor at the University of London Oriental and African Studies faculty.

Scobbie said the recognition of time will make the bargaining power of the Palestinians against Israel becomes higher. Palestine can become a member of the UN agencies. In addition, the most feared Israel, Palestinians to join the International Criminal Court (ICC).

With membership in the ICC, the Palestinians can file a lawsuit against Israel's crimes in Gaza and the West Bank. Palestinians also could drag Israel to the ICC for war crimes.

Earlier in April, the ICC rejected the Palestinian demand to investigate the Gaza War in 2008-2009 because it is not regarded as a country.

"If the Palestinians had successfully joined the ICC, it will be a big problem for the Israeli military operation in the West Bank and Gaza. If the ICC issued an arrest warrant, the Israelis are out of the country could be arrested," said Scobbie.

This is what makes Israel and the United States upset. The Obama administration threatened to cut off funding for the UN agency that receives Palestine as a member, it is never applied to Unesco last year. The U.S. as the largest donor to cut aid Palestinians.

However, the Palestinians did not flinch. They said it would advance the rights that had been suppressed. The Palestinian Authority said the U.S. can not squeeze them for money. (CNN / Reuters, eh)