RAMALLAH, West Bank – An internal document says Palestinians must prepare for possible harsh reactions by the US and Israel if they go ahead with plans to seek UN recognition of “Palestine” as a non-member observer state in the General Assembly. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, backed by the Arab League, is ready to take this step but hasn't decided on when. A senior Palestinian official says Abbas leans toward waiting until after the US presidential election, in line with a US request. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the issue. The internal Palestinian document, prepared by the PLO's Negotiations Support Unit and obtained by The Associated Press Thursday, laid out the pros and cons of seeking UN recognition. On the downside, both Israel and the US have a whole arsenal of punitive measures at their disposal, the document said. The US could close the PLO mission in Washington, suspend millions of dollars of aid to the Palestinians or withhold contributions to any UN agency the Palestinians try to join, the document said. Possible Israel reactions could range from canceling interim peace deals, annexing parts of the West Bank or increasing restrictions on Palestinian trade and movement, the document said. The document said all Palestinian institutions should get ready for any of these scenarios. The paper was presented to the Arab League last month and Wednesday was discussed by leaders of Abbas' Fatah movement. “We discussed the different scenarios ... and decided to go (to the General Assembly) regardless of the pressure and the threats,” said Mahmoud Aloul, a Fatah leader. “The date is up to the Arab League ... For us, the sooner the better.” Chief Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat said Thursday that the date for presenting the application of the Palestinian bid to the United Nations will be set in the Arab Ministerial council's meeting scheduled on September 5. During separate meetings with councils and representatives of France, Germany, India, Brazil, South Africa, and the US, Erekat said that the Palestinian bid to the United Nations to seek a non-member state status is a decision taken by Palestinians and Arabs. He added that to recognize Palestine as a non-member state will not harm the final status negotiations, the aim of which is to implement UN Security Council Resolutions 242 and 338 and end the Israeli occupation that began in 1967. He called on the international community to intervene immediately to compel the Israeli government to re-open the Palestinian offices and institutions in East Jerusalem closed since 2001, mainly the Orient House, and the Jerusalem Chamber of Commerce, as well as to stop all settlement activities, including in East Jerusalem. Erekat urged Israel to accept the two-state-solution and release all Palestinian prisoners, particularly prisoners arrested before the end of 1994. Last month, the Palestinian Authority received a green light from the Arab League to seek UN recognition. – Agencies
