Because we are different.

Abbas to appeal for international recognition of Palestine

17 May 2011

Agence France-Presse
NEW YORK, 17 MAY: Palestinian Authority president Mr Mahmoud Abbas said the Palestinians will request for international recognition for their state at the United Nations General Assembly's meeting in September.
“This September, at the United Nations General Assembly, we will request international recognition of the State of Palestine on the 1967 border and that our state be admitted as a full member of the United Nations,” Mr Abbas wrote in an opinion piece in The New York Times. He said that international recognition of Palestine will be of tremendous value to Palestinians.
“Many are questioning what value there is to such recognition while the Israeli occupation continues. Others have accused us of imperilling the peace process. We believe, however, that there is tremendous value for all Palestinians those living in the homeland, in exile and under occupation,” he said.
Mr Abbas said that “Palestine's admission to the United Nations would pave the way for the internationalisation of the conflict as a legal matter, not only a political one.”
“If Palestine is recognised then it can pursue claims against Israel at the United Nations, human rights treaty bodies and the International Court of Justice. “Our quest for recognition as a state should not be seen as a stunt; too many of our men and women have been lost for us to engage in such political theatre,” he said.
Mr Abbas said that Palestinians cannot wait indefinitely while Israel continues to send more settlers to the occupied West Bank and denies Palestinians access to most of our land and holy places, particularly in Jerusalem. “Neither political pressure nor promises of rewards by the USA have stopped Israel's settlement programme,” he said.
The leader said that the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund and the European Union have indicated that Palestinian institutions are prepared for statehood. “Only the occupation of our land hinders us from reaching our full national potential, it does not impede United Nations recognition,” he said.