Barack Obama Palestinians prepared to delay statehood bid by 'several months' Palestinian officials on Wednesday signalled its willingness to delay a United Nations Security Council vote on their bid for statehood by "several months", as Barack Obama publicly rejected their plans to seek nation status. Palestinians prepared to delay statehood bid by 'several months' Nabil Shaath, a senior Palestinian official, denied that a delayed vote was part of the plan Photo: AP Adrian Blomfield By Adrian Blomfield, Ramallah and Alex Spillius in New York 12:33AM BST 22 Sep 2011 Comments13 Comments As President Obama took to the podium of the UN general assembly, officials indicated they were prepared to avert a major diplomatic confrontation and delay their bid, on condition peace talks were resumed in the meantime, raising hopes that a showdown in New York could be avoided. Under a deal still being thrashed out on Wednesday night, Mahmoud Abbas, the president of the Palestinian Authority, would still launch his bid for full UN membership when he addresses world leaders on Friday. He would therefore save face with voters at home, lay down a historical marker and ensure that the bid cannot be quietly forgotten. In return, Mr Abbas would not seek to expedite a debate at the Security Council, where the US has threatened to wield its veto, giving mediators the chance to try to revive Middle East peace talks. The Palestinians decided to pursue their options at the UN after negotiations to establish a state collapsed last year and showed no signs of revival. Related Articles US 'would veto Palestinian UN statehood bid' 22 Sep 2011 Palestinians show support for statehood bid 21 Sep 2011 Palestinians willing to delay UN Security Council vote 21 Sep 2011 Barack Obama: Palestinians deserve a state 21 Sep 2011 Obama to meet Palestinian and Israeli leaders over UN bid 21 Sep 2011 "The important thing for us is to submit our application as planned," a senior Palestinian official told the Daily Telegraph. "After that, we are prepared to be reasonable. We understand that things can take time. If the process is going to take some months, we are happy to let things take their course." "Just because he sends a letter to the council doesn't mean there has to be a vote," said a European official . "The message we get from the Palestinians is that they definitely want to find a diplomatic solution." Nabil Shaath, a senior Palestinian official, denied that a delayed vote was part of the plan. “There will be no intended political manouevre to delay, we don’t want to give the impression we are not serious, because we are serious,” he said. However, he added that the Security Council would be given “some time” to consider the full membership request and placed no deadline for the council to hold a vote. If the application was blocked, he indicated that the option of seeking enhanced observer status at the UN general assembly, where no country holds a veto, would probably be pursued. Mr Sarkozy became the first major leader to publicly back such a plan. Mr Obama conspicuously avoided using the word veto in his speech, which would be an unpopular move given the liberated mood of the Arab spring which his administration has so vocally supported. But he made clear that the US could not back the Palestinian proposal. "I am convinced that there is no short cut to the end of a conflict that has endured for decades," he said. "Peace will not come through statements and resolutions at the United Nations – if it were that easy, it would have been accomplished by now." Adding that America's commitment to Israel's security was "unshakeable", he continued: "Ultimately, it is the Israelis and the Palestinians who must live side by side. Ultimately, it is the Israelis and the Palestinians – not us – who must reach agreement on the issues that divide them." Receiving only lukewarm applause, he pointed out, at the annual UN jamboree 12 months ago Tunisia, Egypt and Libya were all represented by undemocratic leaders now rejected by their peoples. He also praised the world institution for resisting Laurent Gbagbo's attempts to subvert elections in the Ivory Coast, and for pushing through a referendum that created South Sudan. Grappling with low poll numbers and economic woes at home, Mr Obama was wading into Middle East diplomacy at a critical juncture for his presidency and America's global credibility. After his speech he embarked on a frantic day's diplomacy, meeting Israel's Benjamin Netanyahu, Mr Abbas, David Cameron and Nicolas Sarkozy, president of France. While signs of a breakthrough were encouraging, there was no guarantee that the deal would hold, or that it would prevent violence flaring in Palestinian territories. It also remains unclear whether Israel would be happy with the formula under discussion. Some on the right of the Israeli government have called for sanctions against the Palestinian Authority as soon as they have submitted their application, arguing that even if a debate is significantly delayed a vote would still be inevitable in the future. "Once they've submitted their bid, the Palestinians have no incentive to negotiate," said an Israeli official. Palestinian officials said they were unlikely to raise objections to a compromise offer being advanced by the Middle East Quartet, comprising the US, EU, UN and Russia, that would postpone the debate on the initiative at the UN but grant the Palestinian Authority enhanced observer status. Share: inShare1 Barack Obama News » World News » Middle East » Israel » Palestinian Authority » In Barack Obama Ceremonies marking the 10th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks on the World Trade Center, in New York 9/11: Tribute in Light A New York Fire Department firefighter salutes during the singing of the Star Spangled Banner 9/11: memorial service in New York 9/11 anniversary: mourners at the Pentagon, Shanksville and across America 9/11: America remembers 9/11 anniversary: memorial services and protests in London and around the world 9/11 remembered around the world US President Barack Obama in 50 pictures Obama in 50 pictures Share: inShare1 Ads by Google Expat Living In Malaysia? Do You Have £70K to £1.8m In UK Pensions? Free QROPS Guide! QROPSpensiondesigner.com/Telegraph Expatriate Savings Advice £25k-£1m In Savings? Free Report To Get You The Best Interest Rates! www.OffshoreInvestmentDesigner.com Islamic Finance Industry leaders share insights on Islamic finance opportunities www.mifc.com/viewpoints 13 comments Add a comment Comment with a Telegraph account Login | Register with the Telegraph Alternatively... Comment with one of your accounts Showing 13 comments Order by Real-time updating is enabled. Follow with email Follow with RSS mac78 Today 07:25 AM Recommended by 6 people What state,where is this Palestinian state,when did it ever exist,this is cloud cuckoo land.Palestine was thought up in 1988 by a bunch of terrorists....terrorists who want to destroy Israel....give into them and the Muslim extremists have won. Arabs threw rocks Wednesday at an Israeli car between Migdalim and Tapuach Junction in Samaria. A 20 month old girl was injured in the face. The baby girl received treatment from Samaria Regional Authority medics and evacuated to a hospital. The Authority Head Gershon Mesika said: "The 'men of peace' of the Palestinian murder authority provide yet more proof, to those who still need it, as to just whom we are facing. We face low life terrorists who try to murder babies." "They hold an olive twig in their mouths and murder weapons in their hands. To these barbarian terrorists they want to give a state. Report Recommend Never_Too_Late Today 07:51 AM Recommended by 1 person Why should the world recognize an israeli state? more trouble than its worth... Israeli terrorists who spy on the USA and Britain. Report Recommend JehudahBenIsrael Today 08:07 AM Recommended by 3 people The world has already recognized Israel and has accepted it as the nation-state of the Jewish people, by right! The people who haven't are the same people who have been, for decades, attempting to wipe Israel off the face of earth, be it in full scale wars, in a war-of-attrition-through-terror, or in stages. It is high time, for peace's sake, these very people accept Israel's right to be, to exist as the independent nation-state of the Jewish people. And, while at it, agree that a peace treaty will be considered the end of the conflict and the end of all future demands. Can the PLO do so...?? P.S. Will the PLO be able to act contrary to its own Charter...??!! Report Recommend Never_Too_Late Today 08:24 AM Recommended by 1 person The Israelis are commiting war crimes daily... The International Court of Justice and the international community say the settlements built on seized lands are illegal...but the Israelis keep on building! The use of white phosphorus!!! You can't trust the Israelis... Report Recommend JehudahBenIsrael Today 05:24 AM Recommended by 7 people Now, after Obama's speech and meeting with Mahmoud Abbas, all that the PLO needs to do is to finally accept Israel's right to be, to exist as the independent nation-state of the Jewish people; and, agree to accept a peace treaty as the end of the conflict and the end of all future demands. Are they ready and able to so...??!! Report Recommend humphrey_n Today 08:33 AM Recommended by 1 person As usual you have inverted the core issues - that of Israel's acceptance of a Palestinian state and withdrawal from illegal settlements. Report Recommend JehudahBenIsrael 49 minutes ago Recommended by 1 person Really?? Report Recommend kicks Today 01:53 AM Recommended by 6 people The reason Israel does not want the UN to recognize a Palestinian state is because as a state the UN will draw Palestine's borders and the Israeli occupiers will have to get out of town, This is a game changing event, The US/UK look really bad in all this connivance double dealing and dishonesty It is so hard to be objective when your arse pocket is stuffed with Israeli Geld, Isn't it David.? Report Recommend JehudahBenIsrael Today 05:27 AM Recommended by 4 people The move to the UN simply contradicts the UN Security Council Resolution, 242; and, violates grossly the Oslo Accords between Israel and the PLO on which the sides actually signed and on the basis of which the Palestinian Authority was permitted to be set up. Now, that the PLO achieved a lot by what appears to have been a long move of deception, its leaders, based on tradition..., "spits" at the other side. Well, the other side simply will not permit that to happen...!! Report Recommend degency Today 07:42 AM Recommended by 2 people Perhaps you could explain why the illegal settlements on occupied land do not contradict any of the accords you mention? The use of the word "permitted" is perhaps indicative - if the steps taken by the Palestinians are based on (in your words) deception, it's simply because Israeli politicians of the current ilk have no real interest in progress here, largely because the settlers (as represented in the coalition govt) don't allow them to. Israel's first President (Chaim Weizmann) said it all when he stated that Israel's credentials would be revealed by the way it dealt with the Palestinians; he was right, if not perhaps in the way he intended. There needs to be an imaginative and ground-breaking step by Israel to move this issue to its liking, but, given its poor reputation with former staunch friends like Turkey (an episode which took real skill...) Israel is being run by the politics of fear. This is corrosive, but reflective of the current state of political calibre in Israel. Report Recommend JehudahBenIsrael Today 08:03 AM Recommended by 2 people The territories in question are indeed occupied, a perfectly legal state that needs to be resolved. And, since these territories are in dispute, I would expect all to cease constructing their homes there and not only Jews. Expecting only Jews to refrain from residing there or in any other place on earth only because they are Jewish is a form of racism, anti-Jewish racism. Thus, perhaps, if the poster wishes to appear a non-racist, she/he should demand of Arabs and Jews alike to refrain form living in certain villages, towns and even city neighborhoods and not only Jew. Report Recommend SpottyMulldoon Today 01:01 AM Recommended by 4 people Oh dear, You have to learn better Brinkmanship Palies timing not quite on here Had em by the balls and then........... Waited for this showdown for years now . we are all fed up with it Part of the deal is the let the US taxpayers off funding the State of Israel p-l-e-a-s-e.............. We cant afford them anymore Report Recommend musttryharder Today 07:42 AM Recommended by 7 people Pretty sure you can't afford Palestinian aid in that case then either. Report Recommend Social Media Reactions The Osarseph Report 20 minutes ago From twitter #PLO will submit #UNSC #UNbid, but allow "time for debate" (weeks-months) http://t.co/qBLPffyX Monica García Prieto 58 minutes ago From twitter Resposab palestinos se preparan para aplazar el voto ante la ONU "varios meses". Mira que si es todo un bluff. http://t.co/m91P6Wov maya Today 08:14 AM From twitter RT @occpal: Palestinians prepared to delay statehood bid by 'several months': http://t.co/VcJJKDdQ #Palestine Falasteen'♥ Today 08:02 AM From twitter Palestinians prepared to delay statehood bid by 'several months': http://t.co/xsZ5ZMuq #Palestine via @occpal iqbal jassat Today 07:34 AM From twitter I TOLD U - ABBAS WILL SUCCUMB: "@occpal: Palestinians prepared to delay statehood bid by 'several months': http://t.co/oaaXmLgQ #Palestine" occupiedpalestine Today 06:55 AM From twitter Palestinians prepared to delay statehood bid by 'several months': http://t.co/VcJJKDdQ #Palestine medicare 2 gaza Today 05:08 AM From twitter Palestinians prepared to delay statehood bid by 'several months' http://t.co/tGvplczH tartqueen Today 03:54 AM From twitter RT @PressMiddleEast: UK Telegraph: Palestinians prepared to delay statehood bid by 'several months': Palestinian officials on Wednesd... http://t.co/wd20uNSS A_ThinkingGirl Today 03:12 AM From twitter RT @AlterPolitics: Palestinians prepared to delay statehood bid by 'several months' - Telegraph http://t.co/naoNnllq via @Telegraph Trackback URL blog comments powered by Disqus Follow The Telegraph on social media Latest Obama approval ratings Job Approval Approve Disapprove Spread Obama 43.6 50.7 -7.1 Congress 13.5 83.3 -69.8 More RealClearPolitics Polls Latest News and Analysis on RCP Romney Leads Perry in Arizona Poll Release of Prop. 8 Tapes Shows Judicial Hubris A Century of Palestinian Rejectionism More on RCP Foreign correspondents on Twitter » robcrilly profile robcrilly been waitng for this RT @noodlepie: Right. 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Do they only have one set? http://t.co/aWkkBVcc 2 hours ago · reply · retweet · favorite robcrilly profile robcrilly one of the lines that sort of sums up life, if you ask me. via @shakirhusain 2 hours ago · reply · retweet · favorite robcrilly profile robcrilly "an expert pointed out that this was quite a complicated process and that a month might be a bit unrealistic." http://t.co/CAExv31C 2 hours ago · reply · retweet · favorite robcrilly profile robcrilly Ukraine pensioner wins first prize in dumpling-eating contest, then dies http://t.co/5GmskNyx Only 10? 2 hours ago · reply · retweet · favorite robcrilly profile robcrilly that should do it RT @jenniematthew: New #Afghanistan Silk Road fantasy. Excuse for meetings in luxury boltholes http://t.co/zeRxxEfo 2 hours ago · reply · retweet · favorite robcrilly profile robcrilly RT @MatthewGreenFT: FT: Ally's killing shatters Karzai's Taliban strategy - http://t.co/QCTK9uUH 2 hours ago · reply · retweet · favorite DelhiDean profile DelhiDean The omertà on Sonia Gandhi's illness: Top piece on India's deference by wonderful Nirupama Subramanian in the Hindu. http://t.co/6XwCPHm2 3 hours ago · reply · retweet · favorite DelhiDean profile DelhiDean Zabiullah 2 azadi radio on Talib 'claim of resp' 4 #Rabbani killing. "we don’t know abt this incident + didn't talk to any one about this." 3 hours ago · reply · retweet · favorite tobyharnden profile tobyharnden Disgraceful MT @AlecBaldwin Wonder if McPhail family will seek death penalty for US leaders who killed 000s of US soldiers, countless Iraqis 4 hours ago · reply · retweet · favorite Join the conversation News Most Viewed TODAY PAST WEEK PAST MONTH Boy, 14, found dead over gay bullying Al Gore`s five loaves and two fishes Troy Davis executed in Georgia after last-minute plea fails Barack Obama: Palestinians deserve a state but must achieve it with Israel Vicky Pryce bites back over Chris Huhne affair comments Classified Advertising World Travel Property Shopping Telegraph Free Travel Brochure Service Telegraph Free Travel Brochure Service Select from a vast range of the best World Travel brochures The Seychelles: Paradise Found The Seychelles: Paradise Found Discover a tropical paradise of beaches and lagoons