The recent admission of Palestine as a full member at UNESCO was a wonderful victory for the peaceful diplomatic efforts of the Palestinian Authority. The lack of support by several Western nations, notably Australia, Canada, Germany, Sweden, The Netherlands and the USA, was a disgrace. These nations are effectively giving the Palestinians no choice. All nations who are attempting to thwart the peaceful, diplomatic bid for Palestinian statehood are telling the Palestinians: (i) Palestinians cannot use terrorism, and (ii) Palestinians cannot use peaceful diplomacy. Well, what strategy should the Palestinians then use? These nations are putting the Palestinians in an impossible situation, effectively demanding that the Palestinians must do it all Israel’s way, or nothing. Such a demand would never be acceptable to any nation in Palestine’s place, particularly in a time when notably Australia, Canada, Germany, Sweden, The Netherlands and the USA, nations stand idly by while Israel – again – breaks International Law by accelerating settlement building in spiteful protest. This situation would be comical if it were not so serious. The Palestinians should be praised and supported for adopting a peaceful diplomatic approach to obtaining statehood.
Dr Rory E. Morty
Giessen, Germany
