Turkey welcomed the Palestine UN vote Thursday giving Palestine non-member statehood in the org, stating the dramatic gesture would bolster the moribund Israeli-Palestinian peace process while US and UK are un comfortable with the United Nations General Assembly’s vote.
United Nations, New York City / NationalTurk – USA criticises the UN general assembly’s vote to upgrade the status of Palestine as utterly “unfortunate and counterproductive”, while Turkey, whose foreign minister shed tears with Palestinian families in Gaza strip last week, welcomes the move.
Palestinian Authority President former Hamas terrorist Mahmoud Abbas got a hug Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu. The Palestinians celebrated after the United Nations General Assembly voted to approve a resolution to upgrade the status of the Palestinian Authority to a nonmember observer state November 29, 2012 at UN headquarters in New York.
Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu told the United Nations General Assembly in New York that granting Palestine the status of non-member state at the UN can serve as a booster.
“Palestine UN vote will create the long needed momentum for a negotiated, comprehensive solution, rather than becoming a substitute for it.” Turkey has tense relations with Israel over the Palestinian issue and Davutoglu’s speech sough to counter arguments by the US and Israeli envoys that giving the Palestinians an upgraded status would set back peace efforts.
Davutoglu stated denying the Palestinians a half-way membership in the United Nations was unjustifiable.
“It is on the streets of Gaza where thousands of people live through an inhumane blockade in an open prison. It is in the streets of West Bank where people have to go through check points nearly on every comer,” he said.
“The reality of Palestine is a bleeding wound in the conscience of all humanity,” he continued, in what was a passionate speech.
“Today, we have an opportunity to give comfort to the Palestinian people who aspire for having a chance to uphold their dignity after years of humiliation.
Historical defeat for USA and UK at UN General Assembly at Palestine UN Vote
The United Nations general assembly agreed to recognise a Palestinian state, despite the UK abstaining in the vote and fierce opposition from the United States.
US Foreign Secretary William Hague said he would “respect” the vote. He said: “We continue to believe that the prospects for a swift return to negotiations on a two state solution – the only way to create a Palestinian state on the ground – would be greater today if President (Mahmoud) Abbas had been able to give the assurances we suggested, and without which we were unable to vote in favour of the resolution.
Outoing US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on Palestine Un Vote : “Before I start I want to say a few things about the unfortunate and counterproductive resolution at the United Nations’ general assembly that just passed because it places further obstacles in the path to peace in Middle East.
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