Democracy Now! reports on recent developments regarding efforts to seek Palestinian statehood:

Israel, U.S. Denounce Palestinian Statehood Bid at United Nations

The Obama administration and the Israeli government are continuing a vocal campaign to quash the Palestinian statehood bid at the United Nations. Palestinians are seeking a vote in September that would recognize an independent Palestinian state in the Occupied Territories. Speaking before the U.N. Security Council on Tuesday, Israel’s Ambassador to the United Nations Ron Prosor, as well deputy U.S. envoy Rosemary Dicarlo, offered matching positions.
Ron Prosor: “First let me state clearly, unilateral actions will not bring peace to our region. Like a false idol, the Palestinian actions at the United Nations may be superficially attractive to some, yet they distract from the true path to peace.”

Rosemary Dicarlo: “Let there be no doubt, symbolic actions to isolate Israel at the United Nations in September will not create an independent Palestinian state. The United States will not support unilateral campaigns at the United Nations in September or any other time.”
Both the House and Senate have threatened to cut off aid if Palestinians continue with their statehood bid. Also addressing the Security Council, Palestinian envoy Riyad Mansour said Israel’s refusal to end the occupation remains the lone obstacle to peace.

Riyad Mansour: We have fulfilled our responsibilities and are ready to govern ourselves. The only remaining obstacle is Israel’s 44-year military occupation. Our people have legitimate rights, needs and demands, and it is our duty to listen and act responsibly to advance their just cause. We can not keep waiting for Israel to negotiate in good faith, an almost impossible matter so long as the occupier continues to be absolved of its obligations under international law and as long as might is permitted to trump right.”

Israel Raids Palestinian Children’s Theater

In the Occupied Territories, witnesses say Israeli troops have raided a popular theater for Palestinian children in the West Bank town of Jenin. Israeli troops reportedly broke windows and arrested the theater’s director, as well as a member of its board. The Freedom Theater has helped Palestinian youths deal with the hardships of life under Israeli occupation by expressing themselves through the arts. The theater’s founder, Juliano Mer-Khamis, was killed in April by masked gunmen.

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