Scottish PSC statement on Palestinian ‘statehood’

28 August 2011

The Palestinian Authority (PA) has stated its intention to apply for the United Nations' recognition of Palestine as an independent ‘state’ in September 2011. Scottish Palestine Solidarity Campaign reiterates our active solidarity with the Palestinian liberation struggle in the form of a campaign of boycott, divestment and sanctions against the state of Israel (BDS), and in opposition to our government’s direct role and complicity in Israel’s crimes against the Palestinian people.

The situation on the ground needs to be changed

 

We fully support the Palestinian people’s right to self determination which entails:

a. Ending Israel's occupation and colonization of all Arab lands occupied in 1967;
b. Honouring the right of Palestinian citizens of Israel to full equality by ending the Israeli system of legalized and institutionalized racial discrimination (which conforms to the UN definition of apartheid);
c. Respecting and enabling the implementation of the UN-sanctioned right of Palestinian refugees to return to their homes and lands from which they were expelled.

However;
- We do not believe that the Palestinian Authority bid for ‘statehood’ at the United Nations in its current form will lead to justice for the Palestinian people
- We note the concerns raised by Palestinian civil society organisations, such as those expressed by the Palestinian BDS National Committee and by Palestinian popular resistance activists, that the UN bid for ‘statehood’ endangers Palestinian rights
- We also note concerns raised by Palestinian civil society organisations and activists regarding the potential implications of ‘statehood’, as currently expressed, on Palestinian representation at the UN and other international bodies

Regardless of the outcome of the UN vote in September Scottish PSC will continue to mobilise in support of Palestinian self determination, and to campaign against the denial of Palestinian rights under Israel's continued illegal occupation, colonisation and apartheid policies.

Scottish Palestine Solidarity Campaign