Read the following article from the Toronto Star and feel free to start a discussion on the geopolitics involved.
What does "non-member observer status" entail?
http://www.thestar.com/news/world/article/1294745--palestinian-statehood-bid-has-no-support-from-canada
My weekly blog post.
ReplyDeleteCanada affirmed its steadfast opposition to Thursday’s vote at the United Nations to confer statehood on Palestine, saying it would not support any “shortcuts” to peace with Israel. Prime Minister Stephen Harper confirmed the decision on Wednesday with Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird bound for New York to cast Ottawa’s vote and register Canada’s disappointment with the latest Palestinian move at the UN for recognition (1)
Stephen Harper believes we a Canadians are morally obligated to take a stand, because we are allied with Israel. Harper, both in 2006 and today, is a more passionate supporter of Israel than many Canadian Jews. Harper is more comfortable with the hardline policies of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, with maintaining Israel (2).
Canada's relationship with Israel began in 1947, when Canada was represented on the United Nations Special Committee on Palestine (UNSCOP). Canada's relations with Israel is due to cultural ties between the two. Canada has an embassy in Tel Aviv and Israel has an embassy in Ottawa (3).
Non-Member States of the United Nations, which are members of one or more specialized agencies, can apply for the status of Permanent Observer. The status of a Permanent Observer is based purely on practice, and there are no provisions for it in the United Nations Charter. Permanent Observers have free access to most meetings and relevant documentation (4).
Personally, I believe from a political standpoint that Stephen Harper is making the right decision, simply because of the fact that Israel is one of our allies. Harper doing this shows the loyalty that he has for his allies no matter what the situation may be. Canada should defend Israel because we have had a strong relationship with them since a long time ago.
(1)http://www.nationalpost.com/m/wp/news/canada/canadian-politics/blog.html?b=news.nationalpost.com/2012/11/28/stephen-harper-calls-palestinian-un-statehood-bid-a-shortcut-solution-wont-back-it
(2)http://www.torontosun.com/2012/09/26/israels-staunchest-ally-stephen-harper-has-transformed-canadas-mideast-policy
(3)http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canada%E2%80%93Israel_relations#section_footer
(4)http://www.un.org/en/members/aboutpermobservers.shtml
Malik, wouldn't you care to question Stephen Harper in his position against Palestine due to the apparent minority that he is apart of with making this vote? Let it be known that these people suffer tremendous hardships as a neighbouring state to Israel who in fact has them under a military occupation, and in the result that this state does not in fact become an independent state, that there will be severe and immediate repercussions. Such as outbreaks of violence and war. Almost 90% of the assembly of the United Nations understand these peoples lack of human rights that we so leisurely take advantage of, but is so vital to the quality of a nations persona. I believe that when analyzing this issue, you should question Mr. Harper and understand the desperate wants and needs of these devastated people.
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ReplyDeleteThis issue at hand, between the Palestinians and the Israelis has been one that we have discussed countless times as a class. From reading the original website posted by Mr. Forsyth, it first strikes me as a wonder why Canada cannot go along with what countries such as China, India, France and Norway see as an easy decision to vote in favor of the Palestinian vote. It seems to me that something else must be occurring if Canada and the U.S. are so against the vote. The ties are strong between these two countries and Israel, yes, however, Canada has always been seen as a peace keeping country and we are beginning to stray from that in the last couple years, and become like the Americans. The whole Palestinian vote was to be passed and the question seems to be why the U.S. and Israel went against it so hard that they gave away the influence they could have had over the upgraded status. (1)
It was said by the Palestine Liberation Organization spokeswoman, Hanan Ashrawi, that although she was disappointed by the vote, she was not surprised. She was quoted saying, "For the last few years the Harper administration has taken a shrill and hostile tone which is seen by the Palestinians and the Arab world as being blindly in support of the occupation, we know the Canadian people do not think this way." (2) Our countries leader, Stephen Harper is afraid to stick up for what us as Canadian citizens believe in, however, the people representing Palestine know that our country has views of our own, beyond those views of our leader. "We are not going to judge any country by its vote. We are starting anew. We hope those who voted against us will support direct negotiations with the Israelis and a two-state solution." This wise quote was taken by Palestinian foreign minister Riad Malki. (2)
The vote ended on a 138-9 vote with 41 abstentions. This new status that they have acquired will hopefully start a path towards statehood. (3) "We didn't come here seeking to delegitimize a state established years ago, and that is Israel; rather we came to affirm the legitimacy of the state that must now achieve its independence, and that is Palestine," said by Mahmoud Abbas, president of the Fatah-led Palestinian Authority. (4)
It is hoped that in our future, we as a country will continue to grow however that we also return to what we believe in. Stephen Harper should have seen that the people of Canada have a say in the matter. As we have always been the country to keep the peace, we should have passed this vote because it is for the betterment and the peace of the people of Palestine.
1. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/evelyn-leopold/palestinians-vote-at-un_b_2215556.html
2. http://www.thestar.com/news/world/article/1295387--palestinian-vote-canada-opposes-bid-to-upgrade-un-status
3. http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887324205404578151184058853890.html
4. http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887323751104578149193307234514.html
This is my weekly post: I don’t understand why Palestine does not get to be a country.You have got to put yourself in their shoes in this situation; the country of Israel was originally their land, would you not be angry if someone took your home away from you?. When a country, or state in this case, is feeling down, angry and frustrated you have to give them something to build on. If they were to at least get recognition of being a country imagine how thrilled they would be, just knowing that, the land they are living on is finally theirs for good.
ReplyDeleteI also feel that Harper and our government made a mistake on their decision. If they were to vote yes this could have prevented violence on the Gaza Strip for at least a bit, so they would have time to figure a very good solution.
When almost every other country in the UN votes yes, then there might be a problem with our decision as well as the U.S and Israel .Its time for change on the Gaza Strip, and this is the perfect opportunity. Palestine’s chance will come again guaranteed and hopefully we make the right decision next time.
1)http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2012/11/29/canada-john-baird-palestine-un-vote-speech-statehood_n_2213802.html
2)http://www.thestar.com/opinion/editorialopinion/article/1296230--canada-s-un-vote-against-palestinian-statehood-only-empowers-extremists
3)http://www.680news.com/news/national/article/426863--canada-joins-minority-in-saying-no-to-palestinian-statehood-at-un
4)http://www.timescolonist.com/news/Canada+recalling+diplomats+from+Israel+West+Bank+over+Palestinian/7633213/story.html
Upon hearing of the plea for statehood by the people of Palestine I immediately recalled my blog post of last week and began remembering all of the tragic torture and hardships that the Palestinians have experienced over decades of abuse from the neighbouring country, Israel. In a morally proper stand of action for the Presidents and Prime Ministers of the countries around the world that take part in the assembly of the UN, would chose to review the history of the issue and recognize the military occupation that these people fall victim to. They would recognize that these people do not have the right to vote, suffer from poverty and are given limited rights. All while paying taxes and loosing more and more land every year to Israel. The Israeli government also holds the power in settling the land where they please, resulting in Palestinians usually left with the less usable land. (1)
ReplyDeleteThe people of Palestine are searching for independence, and in order for them to continue on with that action the 7 countries that make up the United Nations need to all agree with this choice. For these citizens, independence would give them the ability to strengthen their hand in negotiations, and expose Israel as an occupying power in another foreign state. (2)
Due to high expectations of the statehood, in the case that independence is not fulfilled there is likely to be violence and instability in the state and surrounding areas. In my opinion, and I am not alone in saying that these Palestinians have endured enough abuse over the years and deserve the chance to govern their own land and receive the rights they need to move forward. Unfortunately, due to Israel’s negotiations with the United States due to the oil-rich nature of Israel as a country, these people have been denied their right to vote, and live independently as the United States and Canada voted against this movement. An ever present standing reason behind the denial of Palestine’s independence, Israel fears the prosecution of it’s troops and politicians by the International Criminal Court had this notion of statehood moved forward(3); but this is one of many. From my perspective, that’s a denial of justice. A denial that Canada is actively participating in supporting. The injustice of the Palestine people for reasons regarding the negotiation of the peace agreement with Israel. I regard that as unimportant reasoning when reflecting on the hardships of these people. I fully support the Palestine people and I believe they deserve the justice they deserve!
References:
(1) A Bried Background to the Modern Conflict by Anup Shah
(2) http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2011/sep/21/what-would-palestinian-statehood-mean
(3) http://www.thestar.com/news/world/article/1294745--palestinian-statehood-bid-has-no-support-from-canada
^ my weekly post
ReplyDeleteThis is my weekly blog post...
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