Speaking today in Santiago, Chile, Undersecretary of State William Burns condemned the moves by multiple South American nations to recognize Palestine as an independent nation, calling the moves “premature” and insisting such recognitions were unacceptable until Israel agreed to a two-state solution.
The comment was not well greeted by Argentine Foreign Minister Hector Timerman, who expressed annoyance that “once again the United States has publicly expressed an opinion about sovereign actions taken by the Argentine Republic.”
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton insisted in separate comments today that she believes Palestinian statehood is “inevitable” but will come as a result of the Obama Administration’s negotiations and that the continued occupation of the West Bank was a threat to the “Zionist vision.”
But Palestinians are increasingly doubting the viability of those US talks, particularly as the Obama Administration has abandoned efforts to secure a settlement freeze, meaning the talks will likely remain stalled for the forseeable future. This has led the Palestinian Authority to mull attempts to get unilateral recognition of its existence, and threats from PA head Mahmoud Abbas that he may dissolve the authority if this is not successful.
Sovereign actions by sovereign states, that is what America use to believe in. Personally, I still do believe that way – good for South America for formalizing what they believe.
Haven´t American leaders always stated that they too believed in a two state solution? We can believe that way but other countries cannot, that is not without permission from Israel? The difference must be that our friends in the south truly do believe in a two state solution, while America secretly does not. Do we believe in anything anymore?
Only a few days ago (9/Dec) an Aussie TV news program reported an Israeli spokesman as saying that they couldn't allow a 2 state situation as it would compromise Israel's security. I think until now Israel has been stalling for time and their true objectives are becoming apparent.
The only thing most Americans seem to believe in is pleasuring the Zionists, overindulging in the materialist wasteland, and cheering on the police state.
Good for South America for thumbing its nose at bullying uncle Sam.
Here we go. Threatening again. The US learns absolutely nothing from its mistakes, does it? What's the US gonna do now about Argentina, Brazil and Uruguay and the other 90 or so countries that have recognized Palestine's independence? Is the US going to invade them all now?
Don't give them any ideas!
Premature? Only 62 years so far. Of course, only Israel should decide, and if it keeps gobbling up more land, there will be no Palestine left for the Palestinians, so problem solved for "greater israel".
What is it about the US that it commands independent and sovereign nations to follow its "diktats" or else? Time for more nations to give Uncle Scam the middle finger and ignore his senile ravings.
America is like a big bullying schoolkid 'double-dog daring' the other kids.
Of course it is patently absurd that america, through this idiot Burns, argues on behalf of the border-less "state" known as israel. However, that's the world we live in. Diplomats from america storm around the globe having tantrums and insisting that the rest of the world become as enslaved to israel as the u.s. government is.
Burns' insistence that recognition of Palestine is "premature" until israel agrees to …. whatever, is a position that needs to be analysed. Such an analysis, of course, requires a review of the political, territorial, and legal schemes israel is 'agreeable' with.
Starting with the political realm; we immediately see that the good folks in israel are not very damned agreeable at all. They refuse to recognise the validity of the lawfully elected government of Gaza. Of course, we could go on for days reciting israel's political faults and parasitic behaviour towards its neighbours, but its refusal to recognise Gaza's government is sufficient to reveal that israel is not behaving as civilised nations do. *Neither is america by refusing to recognise Palestine.
Next there is the territorial realm. Here we immediately see that israel is the only "state" in the region that is continuing to acquire land. This expansion comes at the expense of israel's unfortunate neighbours and, once again, is something america feigns an intolerance for but, in reality, supports as israel's "right" and necessary for israel's security. Of course there is non-stop "internal expansion" as well (stealing the Palestinians' land) Look up images of "1967 borders" and you'll see maps showing how israel has stolen Palestinian land. You'll also see "disputed" borders between israel and Lebanon, Jordan, and Syria. Only israel gets bigger – meanwhile, everyone around them looses.
Finally, there is the matter of what laws and treaties israel is 'agreeable' with. Although israel might impose its law on its people (speed limits and traffic cops – how quaint), there is absolutely no international law and / treaties that can constrain this rogue "state". Piracy? No problem – they'll do it and dare the rest of the world to object. The same holds true for murder while committing piracy. The u.s. dosen't even object to israel killing one of its citizens while committing a little piracy. "What's the big deal?" Joe Biden asked.
Likewise for stealing a few dozen British identities, forging some passports, and carrying out a political assassination under those stolen identities. The world accepts this behaviour like reading a weather report. I contend that this condition is due to the world's recognition of israel as an incurably sick and extremely dangerous society. Even countries (politicians, really) who don't agree with israel's violent and parasitic behaviour hold their tongues. Their failure to condemn quickly evolves into ratification. Its not a long trip for a politician or anyone else to become an accomplice through their cowardice and unwillingness to condemn israel.
What about running an apartheid "state"? What about operating the largest open-air prison camp in the world? How about a little genocide? Its all in a day's work for those wonderful democratic folks in israel. Likewise for cluster bombs and white phosphorous. What? Sign onto a nonproliferation treaty? No way. The rogue "state" flips the world off and laughs because america is stupid enough to keep sending the billions and protecting them in the u.n.
In summary; it should be quite clear that waiting for israel to agree to anything is a waste of everyone's time and, in fact, a waste of lives. The world cannot afford to sit idly by waiting for israel to become agreeable. They have shown that they are quite happy with the status quo – destroying lives and stealing land. Recognising Palestine is a huge step in the right direction.
Using Burns logic, the American revolution should not have happened until and unless Britain approved!