Thoughts on the UN vote

We are in need of some clarity on a certain issue. This week, a majority of world nations voted at the UN to declare Palestine a non-member observer state (from its former status as a non-member observer entity). Perhaps this vote will prove to be a good one for the Palestinians over the long-term. Perhaps this will give them greater self-confidence as a people with a home so that they might give serious consideration to their social and societal ills that are not sourced in something that Israel did. Perhaps, this may result in a stronger, more influential Palestinian Authority, so that this governmental body may eventually succeed in leading a unified Palestine. It would be a wonderful thing for the long-term viability of a Palestinian state if this was to happen.

Indeed, it’s quite possible that this vote was good for pushing along the Palestinian cause of statehood. If the goal of the nations of the world (aside from the few who voted against the resolution, including the US and Canada) was to empower the Palestinians and provide for them a permanent home, the nations were justified in their votes.

Let us not carry the illusion however that this vote will be good for peace between Israel and the Palestinians. This vote antagonized and isolated Israel on the world stage, and gave evidence to the Palestinians that to actualize their yearning for nationhood, there is no need for them to seriously engage in peace negotiations. Certainly, we know that in recent years Israel has not been the ideal partner for finding peace, with its continuous settlement expansion. Israel, however, has been open, for a long time, to a solution of two states for two peoples: a Jewish nation alongside a Palestinian one. The Palestinians, on the other hand, still will not (or cannot?) recognize the right of a Jewish people to their own homeland. I’m still nothing less than astonished that such a large part of the world will give their full support to a government (and now a state) whose doctrine includes the abolishment of another independent state.

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I’m all for peace. A two-state, two people solution is the only solution. In order to achieve this, however, both sides must acknowledge the realities of the past and present, and look ahead to the future in a way that is completely respectful of the dignity and right to self-determination of the other. This week’s vote only hindered the process.

I pray that when the Palestinians get a real state of their own, it is because they have done the hard work necessary for long-term viability and security, and because they and Israel have finally come to a peaceful agreement so that we and the Palestinians might live side by side.

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davidzvaisberg Written by:

David Vaisberg, originally from Montreal and Mississauga, Canada, serves as Senior Rabbi at Temple B'nai Abraham in Livingston, NJ and lives in Maplewood, NJ with his family.

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