Diplomatic and Military Affairs
Palestinian-US ties crack up after veto: official
Updated: 2011-02-20 10:09
(Xinhua)
![]() |
Saeb Erekat, Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) member and newly resigned Palestinian Chief negotiators gives a statement to media about the US veto after his political lecture in the West Bank city of Ramallah, Feb 19, 2011. [Photo/Xinhua] |
RAMALLAH - Palestinian-US relations started to crack up as a result of a US veto on a UN draft resolution on Jewish settlement construction, a Palestinian official said Saturday.
Saeb Erekat, a member of Palestine Liberation Organization's Executive Committee, said the ties have been tense recently, after the Obama administration gave up pressure on Israel to stop the settlement activities in the West Bank.
|
Erekat said there is no partner for peace in Israel. He also slammed the United States for "dealing with Israel as a state above the law." The Palestinian leadership will compressively evaluate the peace process, he added.
The alternatives that should be studied now are a timetable for Palestinian independence and an examination of the Palestinian National Authority's ability to continue its work, according to Erekat.
Trying the first option, the Palestinian leadership will go to the United Nations Security Council again and ask for a full UN membership for Palestine as an impendent state, Erekat revealed.
Fourteen members of the UN Security Council supported the Arab-endorsed bill.
The US-brokered negotiations were halted in September, when Israel resumed building settlements in the West Bank after a 10- month moratorium.
Specials
![](../../attachement/jpg/site181/20110222/bc305ba24a510ecdcce747.jpg)
Kremlin buddies
Dmitry Medvedev and Vladimir Putin inspect Olympic preparations.
![](../../attachement/jpg/site181/20110222/bc305ba24a510ecdd01309.jpg)
Lantern Festival
The Lantern Festival is celebrated across China.
![](../../attachement/jpg/site181/20110222/bc305ba24a510ecdd06322.jpg)
New York Fashion Week
Models line up before a show during New York Fashion Week.