Zomlot says UN bid is of "vital importance"

Husam Zomlot, a member of the Palestinian UN negotiating team has reiterated that the UN bid is of "vital importance to Palestine." Speaking via videolink to a full house at the annual British Labour Party conference, Zomlot expressed confidence in the success of the Palestinian statehood plan. "Of course it will happen. Our definition of statehood is based on international values, international law and decency." "The Palestinian people have an absolute, non-negotiable right to self-determination." He said that it had been a "historic week for Palestine by all measures." The seminar, run by the Labour Friends of Palestine and the Middle East group, was attended by hundreds of people, demonstrating the current level of interest in the Palestinian statehood issue. The seminar was held in a large room at the conference centre, but nearly 50 people were forced to stand at the back of the room because all of the seats were taken. Others were turned away at the door. The Labour Party, which is currently in opposition, confirmed last week that it supported the Palestinian UN statehood bid. Zomlot will shortly return from the US after participating in negotiations alongside the statehood bid, which the Palestinian President, Mahmoud Abbas, presented to the UN last Friday. The UN is yet to make a decision on the bid. Zomlot brushed off suggestions that formal statehood would not create meaningful changes for the Palestinian people. "What we have achieved legally by starting the process of UN admission is of vital importance", he said. He said that becoming a party to the Rome Statute, the ICC and the ICJ would "enable us to achieve some sort of parity vis-a-vis Israel." "The bid will change the nature of negotiations. They will no longer be about Jerusalem or Jericho, but will be able to force withdrawal", he said. Zomlot said that Palestinian leaders need to work together now to further the Palestinian cause. He highlighted that any future Palestinian government must include Hamas. "Democracy must prevail and the will of our nation must be the only game we play." He said that Abbas is committed to "deep discussions with Hamas." Zomlot also called on the international community to provide more support. "Israel is not Egypt. Its army is willing to kill. The popular will cannot achieve statehood alone." He said that Palestine deserves the international support that the South African opposition was given during Apartheid. The seminar's other speakers also expressed unanimous support for Palestine. Richard Burden, MP, said that the Palestinian issue was often viewed as "complex and scary", but we cannot ignore the issue. He said that the Palestinian people face "grinding humiliation" on a daily basis and complained that the recognition of Israel was a pre-condition of negotiations, whereas the recognition of Palestine was a outcome. "It's a privilege for the Palestinians, but a right for Israel." He urged the audience to support the Palestinian bid. "We have to say 'yes' to Palestine, 'yes' to recognition and 'yes' to full membership of the UN." Another MP, Ben Bradshaw, warned that "time is running out for a two-state solution." "It is hard to see how East Jerusalem could be a viable capital of the Palestinian state when it is increasingly encircled by settlements." He urged a rapid solution to the issue before it becomes intractable. Bradshaw expressed his "embarrassment" in the US President Barack Obama. He also warned that a US veto at the UN would "represent a very serious error of judgement" on the part of the US. However, Bradshaw expressed hope in the Middle East Peace Quartet. He urged the audience to not pre-judge the former Prime Minister and Labour leader, Tony Blair, who is part of the Quartet. He said that sources close to Blair suggested that he would not accept the US position. The final speaker, Fady Abu-Sidu also criticised Obama. He complained that Obama spoke of Israel and Palestine as if they were equal players at the negotiating table. Abu-Sidu also backed the statehood bid, saying that it will "clarify the terms of reference in the future peace process" as well as afford the Palestinians a stronger negotiating position. He added that the issue of the occupied Golan Heights and Sinai have always been treated as separate to the Palestinian territories because the Golan and Sinai belong to sovereign states. He argued that the Palestinian territories will also take on greater importance if associated with a sovereign Palestinian state.