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Rana Baker, a 19-year-old blogger and student of business administration also at the Islamic University of Gaza, argues that to be able to comprehend the risk of the UN declaration of a Palestinian state, this issue should be placed in its rightful context: the debate over a two-state solution. In fact, the Palestinian street is divided into two: those who are for one state and those for the UN September recognition of two states, Baker writes, adding Im for one state (I Turn On the Fan and Sit to Write, 8 August 2011).
Baker too warns that the PA statehood bid may be most threatening to Palestinians in the diaspora. What about more than 5 million Palestinian refugees who dream to return to their lands? she asks, The Palestinian Authority does not have the right to take decisions on their behalf. If they were given the right to vote, they would have voted against this bid. This is definite.
Behind these criticisms lie doubts that many Palestinians have about the upcoming move to declare a Palestinian state on the 1967 lines. Some tend to question the functionality of a state in the besieged Gaza Strip and the heavily colonized West Bank, a state totally dependent on foreign aid.
Others reasonably cast doubt on the credibility of the UN to secure the viability of this state, if recognized, and safeguard it against Israels expansionist policy. Some call it a blatant concession that terminates the right of return of Palestinian refugees all over the world. And some view it as yet one more act of treason by the PA a move that would involve turning our backs on the 1.5 million Palestinians living in dire conditions and facing constant discrimination inside the apartheid State of Israel.
As varied as the reasons might be to oppose the PA bid, they all stem from a firm belief that universal rights, real liberation and return, not statehood at any price, must be at the heart of our demands and struggle. Any solution must fully restore the rights of all segments of the Palestinian people those living under occupation in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, those inside Israel, and the refugees waiting to return.
And its also clear that increasingly, many young Palestinians believe that these rights can only be achieved in a one-state solution that puts an end to Israeli apartheid and guarantees equality and justice for all.
Palestinian youth in Gaza skeptical about PA's UN bid | The Electronic Intifada
Baker too warns that the PA statehood bid may be most threatening to Palestinians in the diaspora. What about more than 5 million Palestinian refugees who dream to return to their lands? she asks, The Palestinian Authority does not have the right to take decisions on their behalf. If they were given the right to vote, they would have voted against this bid. This is definite.
Behind these criticisms lie doubts that many Palestinians have about the upcoming move to declare a Palestinian state on the 1967 lines. Some tend to question the functionality of a state in the besieged Gaza Strip and the heavily colonized West Bank, a state totally dependent on foreign aid.
Others reasonably cast doubt on the credibility of the UN to secure the viability of this state, if recognized, and safeguard it against Israels expansionist policy. Some call it a blatant concession that terminates the right of return of Palestinian refugees all over the world. And some view it as yet one more act of treason by the PA a move that would involve turning our backs on the 1.5 million Palestinians living in dire conditions and facing constant discrimination inside the apartheid State of Israel.
As varied as the reasons might be to oppose the PA bid, they all stem from a firm belief that universal rights, real liberation and return, not statehood at any price, must be at the heart of our demands and struggle. Any solution must fully restore the rights of all segments of the Palestinian people those living under occupation in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, those inside Israel, and the refugees waiting to return.
And its also clear that increasingly, many young Palestinians believe that these rights can only be achieved in a one-state solution that puts an end to Israeli apartheid and guarantees equality and justice for all.
Palestinian youth in Gaza skeptical about PA's UN bid | The Electronic Intifada
