At The UN, Palestinian Recognition Is An Offer You Can't Refuse

How many countries represented at the UN seriously want to see a Palestinian state recognized--and how many are being intimidated into recognizing a Palestinian state?

According to an article in Haaretz, recognizing a Palestinian state may have as much to do with fear and intimidation as with sympathy to the Arab cause:

UN diplomats say countries intimidated into supporting Palestinian bid:
Member states fear Arab and Muslim blocs will not support them in important council and committee bids if they fail to vote for Palestinian independence.

Diplomats in the UN said their support for the Palestinian statehood bid stems from fear of revenge from Muslim and Arab nations loyal to the Palestinian cause.

Sources said some countries will support the Palestinians not because they believe in their cause, but because Muslim and Arab countries may take punitive measures against them when they will need support in the Security Council or in bids to be appointed to important UN bodies.

So Austria, which is looking to have a seat on the UN Security Council next year is not about to annoy the Muslim/Arab nations nor their allies in the Nonaligned Bloc.

As an example of what happens when you don't tow the line, Canada has failed to promote its nomination for a seat on the UN Security Council--in part due to its support for Israel.

When all is said and done, it really should not be a shock to hear about these claims of intimidation. After all, the fact of the matter is that the Palestinian Arabs got to where they are today through terrorism and murder.

Technorati Tag: Palestine and UN.