₦airaland Forum

Victory for Peace

Nigeria will act in compliance with its own foreign policy, by recognizing Palestinian State at the United Nations Security Council.

Nigeria has recognized Palestine in 1988, with a Palestinian Embassy in Abuja since - and continues to support the 2-state solution for a sustainable peace in the Middle East.

THANK YOU NIGERIA ! Christian and Muslim Palestinians thank Nigeria for her support. we shall live to see peace in the holy land and coexist with Jews in Israel.

http://www.thenationonlineng.net/2011/index.php/news-update/20815-fed-govt-reiterates-support-for-palestinian-bid.html

palestine was recognized in 1988, why are we recognizing it again?
It has observer status at the UN, what else does it want?

It has observer status only because some global powers (US and their lackies) have NOT recognized Palestine.  However, with a UNGA majority of 140 nations that do recognize Palestine, it is time for the UNSC to recognize Palestine as a full nation just as Nigeria has recognized Palestine as a full nation.  The evidence of this is the presence of a full EMBASSY of Palestine in Abuja. 

Moreover, the resolution text to be submitted to the UNSC today by Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas includes reference to the borders of the State of Palestine, which are the June 1967 lines.   The Quartet for peace, which includes the US, Russia, Europe, Japan, and the UN, have issued numerous statements in the last 2 years calling for negotiations between the parties to be BASED on the 1967 lines with mutually agreed land swaps.  The Israelis have ignored and continue to refuse this statement, choosing to continue to build colonies deep in Palestine.

Sorry but Nigeria DOES have a choice . . . to abstain. Wise choice indeed.

Wrong.  Nations around the world including China, Brazil, India, and Russia (BRIC) and numerous others in Europe, have chosen to vote YES for the admission of Palestine.  Nigeria does have a choice, and a responsibility towards the historic AU/NAM position on the matter, and that is Palestine is an independent state that must be admitted to the UN after a delay of some 63 years.   The original Palestine partition plan of 1947 mentioned two states: One Arab, and One Jewish.   It is TIME to recognize Palestine and admit it to the UN.  That is the only formula for peace.  Not a US "mediated"  peace negotiation which lasted 20 years and has yielded absolutely nothing.

2. Israel won the westbank and Gaza in a 1967 war of arab aggression from Jordan and Egypt NOT the PLO.

You are mistaken, and obviously attempt to blind-fold readers.  The 1967 war was launched by Israel, using the pretext of "pre-emptive strike". It attacked Egypt's air force and totally destroyed it.  This was an unprovoked act.  Nasser was moving soldiers INSIDE the Sinai which was his right as the Sinai is Egyptian territory. 

All the regional wars have been started by Israel.  in 2008/2009 alone, Israel broke a ceasefire with Hamas and then rained down phosphorus bombs on women and children, killing 700 civilians,  The Goldstone Report by the UN, authored by a Jew, admits Israel committed war crimes.

1. When the arab party was 30 times richer and equipped with modern weapons in 1948 and 1967, it chose a war of annihilation to drive jews into the sea.

2. Negotiations are at an impasse precisely because arabs dont want any negotiations that will leave Israel remain a jewish homeland.

In 1948, Arab forces intervened to protect Arab interests in PALESTINE, and have NOT entered the area designated to become a "Jewish State" as per the UN partition Plan of 1947.  Again, for once read a history book besides invoking scripture and blindly supporting the Apartheid state that is Israel.

About "Jewish Homeland", would you agree to classify Nigeria as an Islamic State?  What about Israel today?  25% of its population are Muslims and Christians.  To hell with them?   This is precisely why no Arab or Palestinian will ever recognize Israel as a Jewish State.  However, the PLO and the PA, and 2 other Arab nations, have recognized Israel as a fact, a UN member state, and that is all that should matter.   Welcome to the 21st century where religion should not and will not define modern states.

2. Gaza has independence . . . to build bombs to kill jews with

Wrong, again.  Gaza has no independence.  It is totally besieged and illegally blockaded by Israel.  It is surrounded by air, water, and land by Israel.  Israel controls everything that goes in and out.  Even basic commodities like Coriander are not allowed in.  What kind of "independence" is this.

Are you an Israeli occupation apologist?  Perhaps an evangelical?

In either case, Palestinians must not be fire wood for your prophecies and biblical world views.

Never, ever again will Palestinians be treated like animals.  They deserve human rights, and the right to live in freedom and independence, just like any other people on the face of the Earth.

Mandela was a terrorist like Arafat. No difference.

Davidylan, this is the sentence where you completely blew it.  Perhaps you preferred the old Apartheid South Africa?

It is no wonder that South Africa TODAY is recognizing Palestine and insist on its admission to the UN.  Arafat stood by Mandela and supported indigenous BLACK rights in South Africa.   Too bad that most Nigerians today are not aware of why Nigeria recognized Palestine to begin with.  Brotherly relations, and not religious affiliation, defines the relationship.

Also Nigerians should remember that a quarter of Palestinians are Christians.  It's the land where Jesus was born.   

Peace to Nigeria from Palestine.

People here miss the point. Nigeria has already recognized Palestine in 1988.  An Embassy of Palestine exists in Abuja.   Nigeria has no choice but to support the universal consensus on the need to recognize Palestine and admit it to the UN.  From a position of underdog and victim of endless colonization (settlements etc) the palestine negotiation team would be empowered and the US/Israel duo forced to negotiate in good faith rather than building illegal jewish-only roads and colonies in Palestine.  Negotations among asymetrical parties, where one party is 30 times richer and equipped with the worlds most advanced weapons is not negotiations. Its a charade that lasted 20 years. Negotiation parties are at an impasse.

I repeat Nigeria must not contradict its own foreign policy and once more confirm it recognizes Palestinians as a nation worthy of freedom and independence.

Remember Mandela's words: "We will not be free until the Palestinians are free, "
Only free men can negotiate. Palestine and Israel can agree on borders later (on basis of 1967 lines as per Quartet Statememt).
Regards
A Palestinian Christian living in Nigeria

The closing date for this position is April 15.