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Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas (2nd right) and the delegation celebrate after the United Nations General Assembly voted to upgrade the Palestinian Authority to nonmember observer state status on Nov. 29, 2012 at the U.N. headquarters in New York. (Getty Images)


The Israeli delegation watches the U.N. tally board as members vote to upgrade the Palestinians' status. Rabbi Michael Lerner explains why Israel should be welcoming the move.

The Palestinian resolution had been widely expected to succeed. The upgraded status means the Palestinian Authority is still unable to introduce resolutions to the General Assembly and must continue to partner with a sympathetic member state to initiate any resolutions. However, officials believe that even as a nonmember state, the Palestinians could join such international bodies as the World Trade Organization, the World Bank and the International Criminal Court.

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Calling Israel guilty of a “racist, colonial occupation,” Abbas said the Palestinians’ push in the U.N. was not “terrorism” but a “serious attempt to achieve peace” and that “the rope of patience is shortening.”

“We do not come here seeking to de-legitimize a state established here years ago, and that is Israel,” Abbas said. “[We come here to] affirm the legitimacy of a state that must now achieve its independence and that is Palestine.”

Israeli Ambassador to the U.N. Ron Prosor responded that the only way to achieve peace is through direct negotiations between Jerusalem and Ramallah, not on the voting floor of the United Nations in New York. He said the resolution would make a negotiated settlement less likely.


Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas speaks to the United Nations General Assembly before the vote to upgrade the Palestinian Authority to nonmember observer state status on Nov. 29, 2012 at the U.N. headquarters in New York. (Getty Images)

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The United States had staunchly opposed the Palestinian effort. Speaking after the vote, U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Susan Rice called it an “unfortunate and counterproductive” move that “places further obstacles in the path to peace.”

“The backers in today’s resolution say they seek a functioning, independent Palestinian state,” Rice said. “So do we. But we have long been clear that the only way to establish such a Palestinian state and resolve all permanent status issues is through the crucial, if painful, direct negotiations between the parties.”

Rice said the U.S. would “oppose every effort that seeks to de-legitimize Israel or undermine its security.”

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