Abbas: UN resolution is sign of Palestinian leadership's credibility

Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas today reiterated that the UN Security Council draft submitted on Wednesday was part of the PA’s efforts to end the Israeli occupation and to establish a Palestinian state.

The draft was submitted by Jordan on behalf of the PA and called for a settlement that should be reached no later than 12 months after the adoption of the resolution.

Speaking from the presidential compound al-Muqata’a in Ramallah, Abbas stated: “This effort comes within the political battle to end the occupation and to see the embodiment of independence, as well as the establishment of an independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital.”

“We will continue with the consultations in the corridors of the United Nations to mobilise support for this project.”

The draft includes a timeframe “not to exceed the end of 2017” for Israel to withdraw from Palestinian territories. Additionally, it calls on ensuring a just solution to the refugee issue on the basis of the Arab peace initiative, and in accordance with Resolution 194. However, it is not known how long the resolution will be discussed at the Security Council before a final draft is put forward to a vote.

The struggle so far has been finding a compromise resolution that would not be vetoed by the US, but would not leave the Palestinians totally empty handed and produce some kind of timetable.

Abbas also thanked the European parliaments who called on their governments to recognise the Palestinian state, and especially praised Jordan for submitting the draft resolution.

“We appreciate the extensive consultations that we held with Russia and Egypt,” Abbas continued. “And we stress that we are open to discussion and exchanging ideas in order for this project to be successful.”