October 4, 2011
Akahata editorial (excerpts)
Palestine has recently applied to become a U.N. member as an independent state. Establishing their independent state is a legitimate claim to realize their right to national self-determination which has long been trampled on.
Several U.N. resolutions also back up the Palestinian claim to establishing their own country on the basis of the 4 June 1967 borders. This is essential for realizing peace in the Middle East through peaceful coexistence between Israel and Palestine.
However, the Israeli government is intentionally creating obstacles with the aim of justifying its occupation of Palestinian territories. It seems to have no willingness to make efforts for peace in the region.
Siding with Israel, the United States is pressing Palestine “to negotiate without preconditions” while refusing the Palestinian bid for U.N. membership. It is fairly natural for Palestine to demand, as the starting point for negotiations, that Israel stop building settlements.
U.S. President Barack Obama in May called for a return to the pre-1967 borders but he soon retracted this call after facing an Israeli backlash. The U.S. itself should stand on the position to honestly seek peace and contribute to resolving the issue through negotiations.
Palestine has recently applied to become a U.N. member as an independent state. Establishing their independent state is a legitimate claim to realize their right to national self-determination which has long been trampled on.
Several U.N. resolutions also back up the Palestinian claim to establishing their own country on the basis of the 4 June 1967 borders. This is essential for realizing peace in the Middle East through peaceful coexistence between Israel and Palestine.
However, the Israeli government is intentionally creating obstacles with the aim of justifying its occupation of Palestinian territories. It seems to have no willingness to make efforts for peace in the region.
Siding with Israel, the United States is pressing Palestine “to negotiate without preconditions” while refusing the Palestinian bid for U.N. membership. It is fairly natural for Palestine to demand, as the starting point for negotiations, that Israel stop building settlements.
U.S. President Barack Obama in May called for a return to the pre-1967 borders but he soon retracted this call after facing an Israeli backlash. The U.S. itself should stand on the position to honestly seek peace and contribute to resolving the issue through negotiations.
