Israeli foreign minister pledges 'repercussions' if UN approves Palestinian statehood
| Publisher | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |
| Publication Date | 25 September 2011 |
| Cite as | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Israeli foreign minister pledges 'repercussions' if UN approves Palestinian statehood, 25 September 2011, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/4e89740c26.html [accessed 5 June 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
September 25, 2011
Israeli Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman
Israel's foreign minister says there would be "tough repercussions" if the United Nations approves a Palestinian bid for statehood.
Speaking on Israel Radio on September 25, Avigdor Lieberman said any nod to the application in either the Security Council or General Assembly would "without a doubt bring an Israeli reaction."
Meanwhile, the top diplomats from Egypt and Spain used their addresses before the General Assembly on September 24 to support the Palestinian bid.
Spanish Foreign Minister Trinidad Jimenez maintained that a two-state solution and peaceful negotiations were the best alternative for resolving the Palestinian-Israeli conflict:
"Effective, sustainable peace can only be achieved through negotiations between the parties. Spain believes that the Palestinians could find in this new status a stimulus for the prompt resumption of negotiations."
Palestinian President Mahmud Abbas formally requested full UN membership at the General Assembly on September 23.
The UN Security Council is due to meet on September 26 to discuss the application.
The United States, a Security Council permanent member, has threatened to veto the motion. But the bid can still win more limited approval in the General Assembly, where any vote can pass by a simple majority.
Meanwhile, the Quartet of Middle East power brokers – made up of the U.S., the European Union, Russia, and the UN – proposed a new plan on September 23 urging Israel and the Palestinians to meet within a month a set a new agenda for peace talks.
Link to original story on RFE/RL website
