"In fact, the assembly only has the power to make a non-binding recommendation to the world community that a Palestinian state should be established..."

Amb. Gold's point is most apt.

The truth is that what created the Jewish state in 1948, for instance, was not the Gen. Assembly Resolution 181, of 29 Nov 1947, as is commonly assumed -- because the General Assembly may not command, but only propose, or exhort, or recommend.

That is the limit of its authority.

In reality, the authority for creation of a Jewish state had already been established over a quarter century earlier: in the San Remo Resolution, of 24 April 1920 (which effectively created the Deed of Trust in the name of the world's Jewish People) -- and the League of Nations Mandate for Palestine, whose Charter was unanimously ratified by the Council of the League of 24 July 1922, and constitutes the Title Deed.

And those two actions, both in the nature of international treaties, DID,in fact, have binding legal authority.

Indeed, Britain's Foreign Secretary, at the time, Lord George Nathaniel Curzon, characterized the Mandate as the modern Jewish people's "Magna Carta." And the authority established by the Mandate extended over all the land between the River Jordan and the Mediterranean Sea, inclusive.

Of course, if the (lately self-styled) "Palestinians" are prepared to behave themselves -- given their history, a none-too-likely proposition, I'm afraid, but if they were -- I doubt that they would be unwelcome to stay where they are, to live and flourish in security.

However, if what they really want is sovereignty, they'll have to pursue that EAST, not west, of the River, in Jordan -- which, from the standpoint of demography, already is (and has been since 1946) a Palestinian Arab state.

Or anywhere else willing to let them have what would, in effect, constitute a SECOND Palestinian Arab state. Why they should think they need two, when the Jews have only one would appear a mystery, to put it courteously.

But, in any event, where sovereignty is concerned, the territory between the River and the Sea is taken.

The article is built around the false premise that Abbas has a choice.

It says for example, " make a historic peace agreement with Israel far less likely." But we know that no historic peace agreement is likely with Israel. Nothing could be "less likely."

Likewise the article notes the EU commitment in 1995 to negotiations, but fails to note that the commitment was for negotiations to be done in five years, and now more than 15 years later Israel has flatly refused everything offered and the US President's best efforts. That 1995 promise was broken, but not by the EU.

Finally, the choice is not between Israel or Hamas. The choice is Israel, or Egypt and the EU and the UN. Many are willing to help where all Israel "offered" was to keep expanding settlements and making the lives of the population impossible.

This is a situation entirely of Israel's creation, in that it set such a blank wall before the Palestinians that anything at all is a better chance.

The writer wants a political group to recognize a state in an unprecedented move.

I wonder how many Israeil political parties, including Gold's Likud, recognize the Quartet's principles.

The next Palestinian government will be made of non-political technocrats, which will abide by signed agreements with Israel.

Otherwise, re the general asssembly hyposthesis, Mr Gold, go a read about "uniting for peace" article.

Many Israeli Likudniks think that the General Assembly move is the end. Actually it is only the start. The GA resolution will only do what Netanyahu has so far failed to do: recognizing the 1967 borders of Palestine.

So we got The Old republic of Israel. Will we soon see a new Palestinian republic? It sounds to me as they are going the right way now. I really hope for peace soon.

Dore makes it sound like Abbas’ move for unification with Hamas will distance the PA from a peace deal. In reality the sooner the terminally sick ‘Israeli Peace’ puppy dies the better it will be for the world. Abbas, according to the PALI leaks had already given the shirt off his back, which was not for him to give. Tzippi Livni/Hotovely had told him, “It is not enough”. Exactly what more does Israel want? With or without Hamas, there will never be anything Israel will give up. But now it has another excuse to walk away from peace and continue to build illegal settlements. Tel Aviv frustrates every possible peace overture and then blames it on the other side. But slowly the world is catching on and it is getting more difficult for the Zionist state to fool all the people. Year 2011 has not exactly been good for Israel. Read http://bit.ly/IsraelsYearofTheDog
Zafar Khan

You publish a 7 page BS opinion piece by Michael Oren, then publish this BS? HELLO? How about providing a little balance.

Fortunately the world, and increasingly the US, is on to this sham. And FP? Im done with you. You can have your hasbarists write to themselves over and over again.

In "They know that many members of Gaza's small Christian community have been seeking refuge abroad in order to flee Hamas rule" Dore linked to the wrong video. Here is the correct link that shows Jewish reverence for Christians but make sure to watch it through to the end. It is less then 2 minutes. http://youtu.be/kGIuqFlBFCE

PF works hard to get opinion pieces from Israeli propagandists. I compliment you!! Dore Gold is one of the better Spin Meisters for the Likkudniks of Israel. Unfortunately, all his statements are antithetical to the best interests of the US.

Only an evil person would deny other human beings freedom and self-determination because they covet their land.

Anyone who asserts that one side is "right" and the other "wrong," in this conflict, is, of necessity, a liar.

There are wrongs on both sides. Religious fanaticism makes rational policy and reasonable relationships impossible. There is too much of that on both sides.

The long suffering Palestinian people have a right to dignity and decency in their lives; the people of the state of Israel deserve to experience the security of a recognized and unthreatened state which is a fact in the world.

Sadly, the leaders of Israel have moved to far to the right for their own good while the "leaders" of the Palestinian cause take orders from madmen far away who seek to profit from chaos and cash-in on Palestinian pain.

The leaders of Israel and to many of the citizens are loosing the hope of peace and accepting the degrading inevitability of perpetual low-intensity conflict. That is diminishing the Israeli sprit.

Let the new spirit that is sweeping the region, sweep away the old players who love martyrs, and find ways to make citizens, who love peace and make business instead of bombs.

There are good people on both sides. Either it is time for new leadership to emerge from native good will, with humanistic objectives for all... Or time to let the predictable alternative make the future a dark shadow of the past.

Those sound like big dreamy words, even to me, but the direction things are headed is so obvious and so ugly, that failure to have new dreams is to accept grotesque events as not just predictable but inevitable.

I'd say now is the time to make that decision.

Really amusing, I laughed a lot, thanks.

Is it a new fantasy movie?

Article poorly written and shamelessy biased and uninspirational.

I start appreciating Hamas after this.

Likewise the article notes the EU commitment in 1995 to negotiations, but fails to note that the commitment was for negotiations to be done in five years, and now more than 15 years later Israel has flatly refused everything offered and the US President's best efforts. That 1995 promise was broken, but not by the EU. sports They can wait Israel out, as UN, US, Quartet and other pressures continue to mount on Israel to give concession after concession, while their side simply waits and twiddles its thumbs. If I were on the Arab side, I wouldn't see much point in making a final peace with Israel either.WHy would I do so if the whole world is going to squeeze Israel out of existence for me in time anyway?

I used to travel to see family in Haifa (where arab like myself and jew get along pretty well). I was afraid of suicide bombers from west bank going on the buses and blowing me up. Now, I can re-live that fear since Hamas can operate freely in west bank again. Since I am arab, they will just say I am a martyr if I get hit in the attack. Thank you hamas, but no thanks. I dont want to be a martyr for you or anyone. rx acne Many Israeli Likudniks think that the General Assembly move is the end. Actually it is only the start. The GA resolution will only do what Netanyahu has so far failed to do: recognizing the 1967 borders of Palestine.