WASHINGTON (JTA) — President Obama will make it clear at the United Nations this week that there will be consequences for the Palestinians if they continue with their statehood push, a top Democratic official told Jewish supporters.
The actions of the Palestinians will not be without consequences,” U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-Fla.) said on a conference call launching the Jewish Americans for Obama website, an outreach vehicle for Obama’s re-election campaign. Wasserman Schultz, chair of the Democratic National Committee, was describing Obama’s speech before the U.N. General Assembly that is scheduled for Wednesday.
A bipartisan slate of lawmakers in Congress, as well as a number of conservatives, have called on Obama to threaten to cut off the Palestinians if they press ahead with their statehood recognition bid at the United Nations.
However, some pro-Israel groups have said that cutting funds to the Palestinians could backfire and empower radical elements.
