Palestinians and the U.N.

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/08/08/opinion/palestinians-and-the-un.html?_r=1&scp=1&sq=palestinians%20and%20the%20UN&st=cse

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: barry levine 
Date: Sun, Aug 14, 2011 at 7:56 AM
Subject: re: Palestinians and the U.N.
To: letters@nytimes.com


To the Editor:

  In 1947 the UN voted to create three entities from what had been the British Mandate in Palestine: one Jewish state, one Arab state and an International Enclave of Jerusalem. The proto-Israelis said "yes", the proto-Palestinians said "no" and no one spoke for Jerusalem. After the dust settled and the dead were buried, the Israelis had a state, Jordan had seized Jerusalem and the Palestinians were stateless.  When Palestinians look backwards, they see this as a failure; when they look forward they aspire to a state like the state the Jews have. Their Right to National Self-Determination is as just as anyone else's. Starting again with a UN vote follows the precedent to get there.

Barry Levine