The U.S. Threatens Itself

Mahmoud Abbas, the president of the Palestinian Authority, has made a daring move. At this level, everything is calculated. There is no room for error. Firstly, Israel is up against a wall.

So is the U.S. So is the European Union. What will be their attitudes? The function of the United Nations will be put to this rough test. Following a majority vote in favor by the General Assembly, the American veto will be an expression of dictatorship in the system of global governance. It will be shown that it is Netanyahu who defines American politics in the Middle East and maybe even in the Muslim world.

What good does the Security Council do when it has to play the executive UN role on resolutions voted on by the General Assembly? Why is there another vote in the Security Council when the General Assembly, which represents the majority, has already voted? The U.S. already warned that it would not follow the recommendations of the General Assembly. It will turn its back toward the majority.

What will be the implications of a positive vote of the General Assembly followed by a veto by the US? Washington will lose the trust of the Muslim people and contribute to the widening of the rift between Arab governments and their people. The Palestinians will be pushed further toward desperation and will react by instigating insecurity in Israel, even using questionable means like targeting civilian populations. The American veto will be welcomed by al-Qaida, which will use it to enlarge its recruitment. Thus, the Americans will themselves reinforce the terrorist ranks and be the cause of their own insecurity.