PressTV - US issues warning to Palestinians over statehood

PressTV - US issues warning to Palestinians over statehood:

Sat Jul 9, 2011 12:50AM
Colin Campbell, Press TV, Washington

Sat Jul 9, 2011 12:50AM
Colin Campbell, Press TV, Washington

"As if the road to Palestinian statehood wasn't already bumpy, the US Congress served Palestinians another pothole this week. The US House of Representatives is warning Palestinians that they risk US aid cuts if they pursue a future state without cooperating with Israelis.

Lawmakers backed a non-binding vote in an overwhelming 406 to 6 margin sending a clear message to leadership that it's the US way or the highway when trying to achieve a two-state solution.

Scholars looking at the issue say they're puzzled but also concerned about the hard line stance against a Palestinian state. Top lawmakers have come out and said Palestinians could lose hundreds of millions in development aid if they don't comply.

Palestinians receive nearly 600 million dollars a year in aid from the US, but Washington officials are showing that there are limits to the aid. Experts say the White House is yielding to Israeli leadership.

Middle East talks are all but kaput as the Israeli government continues to build settlements in Palestinian territories and refuses to negotiate seriously with the new Hamas and Fatah power merge.

Palestinian leadership plans to urge a vote for Palestinian statehood when the UN General Assembly meets in September.



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