Abbas seeks Palestine spring,bids for state

The Arab spring must be followed by the Palestinian spring,Abbas said. He recalled Yasser Arafat’s address to the UN in 1974,when he exhorted the nations of the world to help realise “the inalienable national rights of the Palestinian people” with the words,“Do not let the olive branch fall from my hand”.

Abbas said that Palestinians had entered into negotiations with Israel only last year,ready with documents,papers and proposals,but the talks had broken down within weeks.

“I do not believe anyone with a shred of conscience can reject our application for full admission in the United Nations,” he said. Amid sustained applause,he held up a copy of the letter he had handed to Ban: “The time has come,” he said.

The Security Council is expected to take up Abbas’s request after Ban submits it,probably next week. The US is working to prevent the Palestinians from getting together the nine votes they need,so that it does not have to cast its veto to stall the proposal. Efforts are on to restart direct talks between Israel and the Palestinians before a vote becomes necessary,diplomats have said.

Among the 15 members,India has already announced its support to Abbas. On the eve of his departure for the UN,Prime Minister Manmohan Singh sent him a letter saying “India has always supported the Palestinian people in their pursuit of legitimate goals and for development with dignity and self reliance. I assure you of India’s full support in the United Nations.”

Brazil,China,Lebanon,South Africa and Russia too are expected to remain in the Palestinian camp. While the US will vote against,the positions of the five European members,and Colombia,Gabon and Nigeria are not clear.