UN, Germany will vote
against the Palestinian state

BERLIN – Germany will not support the request of Palestinian leader Abu Mazen to the UN to raise the status of ‘Palestine to a non-member observer state’. The German government spokesman reported. “We are examining the situation and we want to find the best possible agreement with our European partners … But it is certain that Germany will not vote in favor of” the request of the Palestinian leader Abu Mazen, explained the German government spokesman Steffen Seibert.

According to diplomatic sources, at the moment there are about 15 European countries ready to give the green light. Among these is France, which, as announced by Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius, will vote in favor of the Palestinian request. In addition to Paris, the raised thumb comes mainly from the Mediterranean states (Spain, Malta, Cyprus, Portugal). In Rome there is still debate about what position to take.

Meanwhile, British Foreign Minister William Hague has announced that London will abstain. The Palestinian National Authority presented to the UN General Assembly the text of a resolution calling for recognition as a non-member observer state. The text, of 316 words, also calls for the resumption of peace negotiations with Israel after the vote. According to Wall Street Journal, for the resumption of negotiations is not placed as a precondition a moratorium on the constructions in Israeli settlements, as it has been so far. The vote is scheduled for tomorrow. Israel strongly opposes this step and the American administration is trying to prevent a vote from being reached.

(November 28, 2012)