Palestinians, Vatican Could Raise UN Flags Before Pope Visit

[Purveyor]

Source: ASSOCIATED PRESS

UNITED NATIONS — Aug 25, 2015, 6:05 PM ET
By CARA ANNA Associated Press

In a move likely to upset Israel's government, the Palestinians and the Vatican are seeking to raise their flags at U.N. headquarters — just in time for Pope Francis' visit next month.

Supporters of the idea hope the U.N. General Assembly will adopt a resolution on the flag-raising shortly before the pope arrives. They're betting that the United States or other allies of Israel will not block the plan and risk offending the Holy See on Francis' first U.S. visit.

The Palestinians' proposal has been tabled, and a draft of the resolution set to be made public Wednesday has been seen by The Associated Press. It would allow non-member observer states — there are only two — to display their flags with the 193 member states.

The United States and Israel oppose recognizing the Palestinian state, arguing that it undermines efforts to negotiate a peace agreement. That process, however, has largely been at a standstill since the deadly conflict in Gaza a year ago.

Read more: http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/palestinians-vatican-raise-flags-pope-visit-33315568

[Grimelle]

1. I am hoping

this will be another instance where President Obama does not give rat's ass as to the consequences....
Go Francis!!!

[happyslug]

2. This is a dirty trick....

The Palestinians, by getting the Vatican to join in with their request, have forced the US to vote AGAINST Flying the Vatican Flag at the UN (If the US also opposes permitting the flying of the Palestinian Flag). It is BOTH or NEITHER. Worse, this is NOT a Security Counsel issue, but one for the General Assembly to vote. Who is going to vote AGAINST flying the Palestinian AND Vatican flags? Saudi Arabia? I doubt it. Iran? I doubt it. Russia? I doubt it. China may object (China opposes any group that has followers in China that the Communist Party does not control, that includes Moslems, Catholics, Falun Gong etc. Religion is NOT the problem, it is the lack of control over these groups that leads China to repress them).

Outside of China, I do not see anyone opposing this move (and China may agree to it, for that would force the US to decide to vote for or against this joint flying of flags). Who does Obama offend? American Catholics by voting to ban flying the Vatican flag at the UN, or Israel by by voting to fly the Palestinian flag? Thus my comment this is a dirty trick, it forces Obama to make a decision he does NOT want to make.

What Obama should do is call Congress into a Special session to ask them to vote on the issue on the grounds he needs directions from Congress on what to do in this situation since Congress is the voice of the people. Grand stand like a good politician.