Both of you must agree to a single line, drawn on your map that divides Israel from Palestine and to an outcome that implements the two-state solution.

Francis Anthony Govia

The Muffin Post

Also published at Uprooted Palestinians and the Intel Hub.

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has expressed frustration with the lack of progress in the Middle East peace process, and said that the next phase of negotiations should center on the borders of a Palestinian state.

In a report prepared by VOA the US Secretary said, both Israel and Palestine “must agree to a single line, drawn on your map that divides Israel from Palestine and to an outcome that implements the two-state solution.”

Earlier this month Brazil and Argentina accepted Palestine President Mahmoud Abbas’ request for diplomatic recognition of a Palestinian State within the 1967 borders. In a phone call to Abbas the President of Argentina, Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner said that that her country’s recognition of a Palestinian State within the 1967 borders was not just a political gesture, but a moral stand. She also expressed frustration about the impasse in the Middle East peace process.

Shortly after Argentina’s move, Uruguay announced that it too would recognize a Palestinian state starting from 2011.

The Israeli government has tried to downplay the Palestinians’ success in their unilateral quest for statehood, indicating that Brazil, Argentina and Uruguay are far from the Middle East. The Israeli approach goes to opinion in the North that diplomatic recognition is only important if it is given by members of the Security Council and other major powers, and acceptable to nations that lie in proximity to the state requesting it.

The Palestinians had in November, 1988 declared an independent Palestinian state. This led to recognition of Palestine statehood by 105 countries, but Israel, the US, the United Nations, among others, refused to recognize it.

The Obama administration, with Hillary Clinton as its top diplomat, has the opportunity to set itself apart from previous US governments that appeared weak and of a mindset that is singular and conciliatory to the Israelis when giving address to Middle East peace process.

The US must initiate a bold move, giving immediate recognition to a Palestinian State with the 1967 borders, and then put all parties (Israelis and Palestinians) on notice that the only thing left for discussion is how to implement the peace plan.

Any delay of purpose will allow those who are opposed to any peace settlement to mount action to weaken and hamper US foreign policy initiatives.

Related story:
Argentina Recognizes Palestine Within its 1967 Borders
EU Ready to Discuss the Recognition of Palestine
EU Discusses Recognizing Palestine in One Year
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Francis Anthony Govia received a Bachelor’s degree in International Relations at Boston University where he studied U.S. National Security and Foreign Policy with teachers who inspired him, such as General Fred F. Woerner (Ret.), Ambassador Stephen R. Lyne (Ret.), and Joseph Fewsmith. He received a law degree at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and is a contributor to Activist Post and The Intel Hub.