RUTHFULLY YOURS

The mentality in many corners appears to be: let’s get the state now and worry about the particulars later. Thankfully, the U.S. has continued to threaten to veto this reckless adventure, and Prince Turki al-Faisal isn’t happy that the “blue-eyed slaves” (in a quotation attributed to the late King Fahd) aren’t hopping to it.

Warnings that the Palestinian state foisted on the international community now would be the ultimate case of “be careful what you wish for,” even for its prospective citizens, fall on deaf ears. Observations that the new state would be corrupt, unstable, and ungovernable are swept under the rug amid preaching about the need for “hope.” Concerns that the current entity has never yet acted according to the expectations and obligations of a state are similarly dismissed. Above all, the Palestinian state is expected to get a pass for not meeting the criteria for statehood under international law. And that is to say nothing of the “right of return” that remains a demand, another train wreck waiting to happen if its backers have their way.

But those who back the state expect that what the U.N. starts, it will feel obligated to finish and not allow to fail, providing borders (i.e. a land grab), resources, security assistance, aid and so forth. Turki below promises intensive Saudi assistance, but seeing is believing, from one of the wealthiest, but stingiest countries where aid is concerned, consistently called out in the wake of major disasters.

Nonetheless, the Saudis have moved on to making threats. And here we are: “Veto a State, Lose an Ally,” by Turki al-Faisal for the New York Times, September 11:

The United States must support the Palestinian bid for statehood at the United Nations this month or risk losing the little credibility it has in the Arab world. If it does not, American influence will decline further, Israeli security will be undermined and Iran will be empowered, increasing the chances of another war in the region.

Moreover, Saudi Arabia would no longer be able to cooperate with America in the same way it historically has. With most of the Arab world in upheaval, the “special relationship” between Saudi Arabia and the United States would increasingly be seen as toxic by the vast majority of Arabs and Muslims, who demand justice for the Palestinian people.

The one piece missing here is blackmail over oil. They haven’t played that card yet, but this situation again demonstrates the need for increasing energy independence as quickly as possible so as not to be coerced into moral and political compromises for a Saudi regime that should know a thing or two about being “toxic.”

Saudi leaders would be forced by domestic and regional pressures to adopt a far more independent and assertive foreign policy. Like our recent military support for Bahrain’s monarchy, which America opposed, Saudi Arabia would pursue other policies at odds with those of the United States, including opposing the government of Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki in Iraq and refusing to open an embassy there despite American pressure to do so. The Saudi government might part ways with Washington in Afghanistan and Yemen as well.

Actually, there were reports of a deal struck regarding Bahrain: the U.S. looked the other way from Bahrain — its demonstrations curiously excluded from the “Arab Spring” –in exchange for muted Saudi criticism of the NATO campaign in Libya.

The Palestinian people deserve statehood and all that it entails: official recognition, endorsement by international organizations, the ability to deal with Israel on more equal footing and the opportunity to live in peace and security.

Israel should see the Palestinian bid for statehood not as a threat, but as a chance to return to the negotiating table and prevent further conflict. Recent polls show that up to 70 percent of Palestinians say they believe there will be a new intifada if the deadlock is not broken shortly; this should encourage Israel to seek peace with the moderate Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas.

The Obama administration has had ample opportunities to lead Israelis and Palestinians into bilateral peace talks, but American policy makers have unfortunately been more preoccupied with a deteriorating domestic economy and a paralyzed political scene than with finding a workable solution to this epic injustice. Because Washington has offered no viable new proposals, the least it can do is step aside and not hinder Saudi, European and moderate Arab efforts to advance Palestinian rights at the United Nations.

Speaking of “ample opportunities,” the Palestinians have squandered 31 opportunities for a state, and peace.

Even Israeli officials have recently admitted privately to their European counterparts that only Saudi Arabia will be able to give the Palestinians the required religious, political and financial legitimacy they need to complete a deal with Israel. Saudi Arabia had earmarked over $2.5 billion in aid to the Palestinian Authority since June 2009, making it by far the largest single supporter of the Palestinian cause. But this money will not do much good until Palestinians are granted their fundamental rights.

The 2002 Arab Peace Plan must be the starting point for negotiations; a two-state solution based on the 1967 borders is the only realistic foundation on which to restart talks, seeing as how the Oslo Peace Process has proved fruitless.

The Palestinian statehood initiative is a chance to replace Oslo with a new paradigm based on state-to-state negotiations — a win-win proposition that makes the conflict more manageable and lays the groundwork for a lasting solution. […]

Although Saudi Arabia is willing and able to chart a new and divergent course if America fails to act justly with regard to Palestine, the Middle East would be far better served by continuing cooperation and good will between these longstanding allies.

American support for Palestinian statehood is therefore crucial, and a veto will have profound negative consequences. In addition to causing substantial damage to American-Saudi relations and provoking uproar among Muslims worldwide, the United States would further undermine its relations with the Muslim world, empower Iran and threaten regional stability. Let us hope that the United States chooses the path of justice and peace.