Next week, the UN is set to vote on the establishment of a recognized Palestinian state in the West Bank, Gaza Strip and east Jerusalem. While the vote would be mostly symbolic, Palestinians hope the elevated stature would give them more clout in future negotiations with Israel.
Israel opposes the move, worried that their illegally occupied Palestinian territories would now be officially illegal in the eyes of the International community. Should this happen, sanctions would likely be issued by a world that opposes Israel’s incessant human rights violations.
Ever the staunch supporter of Israel, the United States made clear their intentions to veto the upcoming vote. No surprise there.
But now Prime Minister Stephen Harper announced his opposition to Palestine’s bid for UN recognition, saying “We view this unilateral action on behalf of the Palestinian Authority to be not helpful, and we will be opposing it at the United Nations.”
But why? What specifically does the Conservative government hope to gain by emulating the United States? Another economic recession? A war machine running out of control? A corporately controlled electoral system? Mounting animosity from the rest of the world?
The American Empire is in decline and Israel is finding itself all alone in the world. It is a mistake to hitch our wagon to these dying horses. Come next election, Canadians will hopefully show Stephen Harper and his Conservatives the error of their ways.
