'Carter says Palestinians can live without American aid'
Non-recognition of Palestinian state would be worse than losing US aid, former US president says in interview with 'Al-Masry Al-Youm.'
By JPOST.COM STAFF, TOVAH LAZAROFFjimmy carter 311(photo credit: REUTERS)
Former US president Jimmy Carter said that the "Palestinians can live without American aid," in an interview with Egyptian daily Al-Masry Al-Youm published Saturday. Carter was referring to US threats to cut funds to the Palestinian Authority should it take its statehood bid to the United Nations.The non-recognition of a Palestinian state would be worse than losing US aid, he explained: "It's time for international recognition of a Palestinian state."RELATED:Abbas: We're going to the UN to demand full membershipMideast Quartet envoys to meet in New York The former US president was optimistic about Palestinian efforts to achieve statehood, telling the Egyptian daily he believes they will yield positive results at the UN, although not necessarily in the Security Council.A flurry of intense diplomatic activity to prevent the Palestinians’ unilateral statehood bid at the United Nations this week is expected to take place in the next few days, as Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu prepares to head to New York – possibly as early as Tuesday night.
Envoys from the Quartet of Middle East negotiators will meet on Sunday in New York as part of this last-ditch effort.The US, one of only five permanent members with veto power in the 15-member body at the Security Council that has veto power, is expected to block the Palestinian bid. The Palestinians are then likely to ask the UN General Assembly to upgrade their status to that of an observer member. They already have majority support for that move in the General Assembly.Click for full Jpost coverage
