Israel-Palestine Analysis: US Congress Blasts Recognition of Palestinian State but International Pressure Increases

On Thursday, US lawmakers condemned the Latin American wave of recognition of the "State of Palestine". The House of Representatives approved a resolution opposing the unilateral declaration of a Palestinian state, claiming "true and lasting peace between Israel and the Palestinians can only be achieved through direct negotiations between the parties".

The resolution calls on the US administration to "deny recognition to any unilaterally declared Palestinian state and veto any resolution by the United Nations Security Council to establish or recognize a Palestinian state outside of an agreement negotiated by the two parties".

The Palestine Liberation Organisation said the resolution was "unjustified." Ahmed Majdalani, a member of the PLO's Executive Committee, added, "It doesn't help the U.S. administration's role as a sponsor of the peace process in the Middle East."

And the House of Representatives' opinion did little to stop the flow of international recognition. Norway joined leading European countries such as France and Spain and upgraded the standing of the Palestinian representation in Oslo from a "general delegation" to a "diplomatic delegation". On Friday, Bolivian President Evo Morales announced his country's recognition of Palestine as a sovereign state within the 1967 borders. 

Ramallah is still maintaining a cautious position while applauding international "gestures". The Palestinian "Prime Minister" in the West Bank, Salam Fayyad, said Saturday that his plan to establish a Palestinian state by August 2011 remains on course; he made no reference given to any unilateral step. Meanwhile, the Palestinian Authority is working on a draft to be submitted to the UN Security Council, calling Jewish construction beyond the Green Line illegal and defining these areas as occupied lands. Israeli officials fear that this could lead to international sanctions against the Jewish settlements, with a boycott of businesses based there.

An anonymous Foreign Ministry source told Haaretz:"Israel views this matter with great concern. This measure joins other attempts by the Palestinians to circumvent the negotiations." Despite the support of the House of Representatives, officials in the Foreign Ministry fear that the Obama Administration might not veto such a resolution since it "contradicts the administration's position".