T

he Palestinian president announced he will seek to create an independent state of Palestine through the Security Council at the United Nations. The recent announcement of the Palestine authority was strongly opposed by Israel and its very close ally the United States. US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Israeli Prime Minister urged the Palestine authority instead of going to the UN and seeking to be recognized as an independent state to start a dialogue with Israelis and resolve the crisis through negotiations.

The reality is that despite long negotiations and several peace maps presented by US authorities, the Palestinian people have gained nothing but death, destruction and the lasting siege of Gaza.

Despite serious reservations of the world community and the US itself, Israel’s illegal development of this area continues. Things went from bad to worse after Israeli continued its air strikes on Gaza and other areas.

After a miserable effort by the US, Israel and the world community, the Palestine authority has decided to go to the UN and apply for recognition as an independent state through the UN Security Council. If East Timor and northern Sudan can do the same through UN resolutions, why can’t the people of Palestine do the same?

Khawaja Umer Farooq
Jeddah