U.N. Amb. Susan Rice and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton have declared today’s vote by the United Nations General Assembly to recognize Palestine as a state “unfortunate and counterproductive,” although Rice was also quick to note that the resolution does not establish a Palestinian state; rather, it grants Palestine the status of “nonmember observer state” at the General Assembly.
Clinton says UN Palestinian vote "unfortunate and counterproductive" and "places further obstacles in the path of peace"
— Edward-Isaac Dovere (@IsaacDovere) November 29, 2012
"This resolution does not establish that Palestine is a state." – Rice #UNGA
— Alana Goodman (@alanagoodman) November 29, 2012
The overwhelming vote to recognize Palestine was certainly no surprise, with the United States and Israel standing with only a handful of nations, including Canada.
Countries that voted against Palestine's UN bid: Israel, USA, Canada, Panama, Eritrea, Marshall Islands. Didn't catch the other two.
— İyad el-Baghdadi | إياد البغدادي (@iyad_elbaghdadi) November 29, 2012
@iyad_elbaghdadi Czech Repubic was one.
— tampastani (@zcjbrooker) November 29, 2012
@iyad_elbaghdadi Also Micronesia
— tampastani (@zcjbrooker) November 29, 2012
Sen. Lindsey Graham, a harsh critic of Rice and her handling of Benghazigate, was on the same page regarding the effect of the vote on the ongoing peace process. Supporters of Israel fear that Palestine’s new status could further isolate Israel and pave the way for war crimes charges against Israel in the International Criminal Court.
Granting United Nations membership to the Palestinian Authority is a nightmare in the making for the peace process.
— Lindsey Graham (@GrahamBlog) November 29, 2012
The @UN just made an eventual peace deal 10 times harder. Good job, per usual.
— (((AG))) (@AGHamilton29) November 29, 2012
The vote has supporters of Israel questioning not so much the status of Palestine but the legitimacy of the United Nations itself.
The UN General Assembly (consisting primarily of dictatorships) is a meaningless body. It's the UN Security Council that matters. #duh
— RBe (@RBPundit) November 29, 2012
Just like the UN RT @RBPundit It's at this point where the ignorant masses are reminded again that UN General Assembly votes are meaningless
— Derek Hunter (@derekahunter) November 29, 2012
https://twitter.com/ali/status/274275521909645313
https://twitter.com/gopfirecracker/statuses/274275456394592256
@gopfirecracker Half the UN member states act like that to varying degrees, so…no.
— Osei (@oawdixon) November 29, 2012
https://twitter.com/flanderlicious/status/274278807605747714
Those who stand with the majority in the General Assembly, though, were quick to denounce the United States, Israel and those nations that abstained.
https://twitter.com/eborujerdi/status/274281544980516864
https://twitter.com/DanielMeah/status/274281254919221248
https://twitter.com/PandithNews/status/274281239492562944
https://twitter.com/syrianews/status/274280627862384640
Five African nations abstained from the Palestinian vote . So disappointed and shame on them all. #disgusted #Africa #Palestine
— Silent Observer (@abs2ray) November 29, 2012
US opposition to Palestine UN status brings further shame on the country of murder by drone,Gitmo & impisonment without trial.
— William Jones (@Williamjones00) November 29, 2012
For her part, Rice quickly downplayed the importance of the vote.
Progress towards a just & lasting two-state solution cannot be made by pressing a green voting button in NY.
— Susan Rice -Archived (@AmbRice44) November 29, 2012
Long after the votes have been cast & speeches forgotten, it's the Palestinians & Israelis who must still talk – and listen – to each other.
— Susan Rice -Archived (@AmbRice44) November 29, 2012
We urge the parties to resume direct talks on all the issues that still divide them, without preconditions.
— Susan Rice -Archived (@AmbRice44) November 29, 2012
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