In an interview with AFP, Deputy Prime Minister Dan Meridor said the Palestinian strategy of avoiding negotiations in favour of achieving statehood via the UN would achieve little on the ground and only exacerbate the conflict.

"They have a new strategy -- no terror, building a state bottom up with economic growth, and, at the same time, they want to replace negotiations with pressure on Israel, to replace an agreement with a UN resolution," he said.

The strategy, which comes as talks remain in deep freeze over the issue of Israeli settlements, has caused deep concern in Israel, with Defence Minister Ehud Barak warning it would create a "diplomatic tsunami" against the Jewish state.

The Palestinians first issued a declaration of independence in November 1988 and 130 countries have since recognised their state on the 1967 borders, Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas has said.

And many more look set to do so in September -- including four of the five permanent members of the UN Security Council, senior negotiator Nabil Shaath told AFP in an interview at the weekend.

"What will happen will be like last time -- the Americans will veto, and the other four will say: We accept," he said referring to a February Security Council resolution against settlement building. It was approved by 14 out of 15 of the members, but vetoed by the United States.

This time, if the Americans veto the motion, the issue will be referred to the UN General Assembly under a "Uniting for Peace" resolution which allows the 192-member body to to take binding decisions, he explained.

"When we become a full member (of the General Assembly) recognised by two thirds of the community of nations, we become an independent state whose land is occupied illegally by another member," he said.

"This is what's scaring (Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin) Netanyahu and that's what Mr Barak calls the tsunami of September," he said.

Meridor said the strategy could leave Israel facing even greater international isolation but that it would not do the Palestinians much good either.

"It is not good for us," he said. "But will it create a state? No. Will it make them rule Maaleh Adumim and the Jewish Quarter?" he said, referring to a sprawling West Bank settlement east of Jerusalem and a quarter of the walled Old City.

"We will still need to sit down and decide on a border and other things. Is it going to be way to end the conflict? No. It's going to add more anger and more friction to the conflict."

But he acknowledged the Palestinians were unlikely to change course and return to talks.

"I don't see them coming back to the negotiating table. Their strategy is that they don't want to negotiate, so you can't force them. If they are not convinced by the community of nations to come back, I don't think they will."

So far, Israel has not outlined a response to the initiative, although Netanyahu has said he will put forward a new plan in a speech before the US Congress next month. Some commentators believe will involve a limited withdrawal of troops from the West Bank.

But it looks unlikely to convince Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas and his team of negotiators.

"Maybe he will speak of some initiative, but it will not be acceptable to us," Abbas told AFP at the weekend. "If we get to September without any results, of course we will ask the American president to fulfil his promise -- that he wishes to see a state with full partnership in the United Nations."

Meridor said neither party had time on their side, a point he made during talks with two top Palestinian officials over the past few months.

"I told them: 'Time is not good for us Israelis, but you Palestinians are making a mistake if you think time is playing for you. It's not a zero sum game."

"'If you don't make a deal now, you may be gone historically, so you have to make tough decisions like we have to make.'"

The idea of carving up the land into two states was very difficult for both sides, he said, but the only other alternative was a bi-national state.

"I'm not sure they have the courage, the political clout, the understanding to say: okay, end of conflict. It's a tough historical decision but a right one," he said.

"In the end, it's up to Abu Mazen (Abbas): does he have the courage to say 'No more claims'?"

del.icio.us	Digg	Reddit
YahooMyWeb	Google	Facebook

Memory Foam Mattress Review

SPACE MEDIA NETWORK PROMOTIONS Solar Energy Solutions Tempur-Pedic Mattress Comparison ... Newsletters :: SpaceDaily :: SpaceWar :: TerraDaily :: Energy Daily XML Feeds :: Space News :: Earth News :: War News :: Solar Energy News