U.N. delays controversial vote on Palestinian status

NEW YORK, Dec. 4 (JTA) — The United Nations General Assembly temporarily halted discussion this week on a controversial resolution that would grant the Palestinians member status without voting privileges. The decision to postpone the discussion was made Wednesday after the Arab-sponsored proposal caused days of behind-the-scenes wrangling and it became apparent that there wasn’t widespread support for it. The Palestinians currently have observer status at the United Nations and there is fear that any change to that status would further upset the faltering Middle East peace effort. “We are opposed to any upgrading of the observer status of Palestine,” a spokesman for the U.S. mission said, adding that it is “counterproductive to introduce matters that bypass the bilateral peace process here in New York.” The European Union is seeking to amend the resolution by proposing a postponement of the vote until next year. Israel also staunchly opposes any change in the Palestinians’ status. “At a time when the international community is calling upon Israel to desist from any `unilateral action’ that might prejudge the outcome of negotiations, it is outrageous that the PLO is taking the most important unilateral action of all and establishing for itself a status equivalent to that of state within the United Nations,” Dore Gold, Israel’s ambassador to the United Nations, said in a telephone interview. “While we are taking real risks for peace, the Palestinians are slapping Israel in the face at the United Nations. This is unacceptable,” said Gold, who had earlier this week addressed the assembly during its annual debate on the “Question of Palestine.” For their part, the Palestinians oppose the European amendment. They say the status change would facilitate their work by making it easier to participate in general U.N. debates. Under the proposed resolution, they would not be able to vote and could not offer any candidates for positions in the United Nations. “Seeing that we have a government on the ground, it makes more sense to have more rights,” said an official at the Palestinian mission who asked not to be identified. Discussion on the resolution, which was originally slated for a vote Dec. 3, is expected to resume Tuesday.