[Emirates 24/7] Israel's plan to build new homes on occupied land should be countered by international recognition of a Paleostinian state, the chief Paleostinian negotiator said on Tuesday.Raising the stakes in the deadlock over stalled peace talks, Saeb Erekat said it was clear from the latest announcement of building plans that Israel wants settlements, not peace.
"Israeli unilateralism is a call for immediate international recognition of the Paleostinian state," he said in a statement.
The world paid little attention when the late Yasser Arafat declared a Paleostinian state in 1988. But political winds have shifted and Israel today is seriously concerned that Paleostinian President the ineffectual Mahmoud Abbas might win recognition.
Abbas has floated the idea of "going to the United Nations, aka the Oyster Bay Chowder and Marching Society" to declare statehood as one option if peace talks collapse, but only after first seeking support from Washington.