UN Security Council starts considering Palestinian statehood

After receiving a hero’s welcome in Ramallah, it’s down to business on Monday for Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, as talks begin at the UN Security Council on his proposal for statehood recognition. Nine ‘yeses’ are needed from the 15-member council but even if those nine are achieved, the US will use its power to veto the initiative.

Meanwhile, Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is keen to focus on conciliation: “Let’s just sit down and begin to talk peace. Why are we talking about talking? Why negotiating about negotiating? It is very simple. If you want to get to peace, put all your preconditions on the side,” he said on Sunday.

As formal talks begin in Washington, diplomats says the Palestinians only have six certain votes from the Security Council – China, Russia, Brazil, Lebanon, India and South Africa. It could take weeks before the final vote takes place.

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