Palestinian officials are putting President Obama front and center in their new campaign to rally support for a UN vote on statehood — whether he likes it or not.
Reuters reports that a new radio spot features a clip of Obama addressing the UN and expressing optimism that negotiations between Israel and the Palestinian Authority might yield results. “When we come back here next year, we can have an agreement that can lead to a new member of the United Nations, an independent, sovereign state of Palestine living in peace with Israel,” he says.
“If he said it, he must have meant it,” Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas responds in the ad.
There’s a difference, of course, between expressing support for one day reaching an agreement on statehood and supporting the Palestinian leader’s specific plan to seek recognition in the UN. In fact, the White House currently opposes the move and instead favors direct negotiations with Israel to reach a final deal.
