Ramallah’s wish to take active part in members-only talks blocked by Israel, US and EU
By Yitzhak Benhorin
WASHINGTON – Another attempt by the Palestinian Authority to asset statehood in the United Nations was blocked by Israel on Monday, Ynet has learned.
The PA sought to take an active role in a UN conference meant to hammer out the first binding treaty on the regulation of the global weapons market, valued at more than $70 billion a year.
The conference is meant for the UN’s 193 member-states only. Israel, the United States and the European Union opposed the PA’s move – which was backed by several Arab countries.
Israel, which – like the US – is a major arms manufacturer, plays a key role in the talks. The EU joined the two and quashed the Palestinian bid, but the Arab nations refused to begin the talks without the PA, effectively ending the first day of the conference before it even began.
The move marks another attempt by the Palestinian to gain international recognition as a state, after their September move to that effect was blocked by the UN Security Council.
The Palestinian Authority has observer status in the UN.
View original Ynet publication at: http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4250455,00.html