New York City (AsiaNews) - The debate on U.N. recognition of Palestine will be held in mid-November. This was announced two days ago by Vuk Jeremic, President of the U.N. General Assembly. "The leaders of the Palestinian National Authority (PNA) are going to engage in extensive discussions", said Jeremic, "coming to a conclusion as to what they want to do some time in November."

In a statement on the margins of the 67th meeting of the U.N. General Assembly, Mahmoud Abbas took a step back from the full recognition of Palestine by the United Nations, requesting a non-member state representation, like the Vatican.

Contacted by AsiaNews, Samir Qumsieh, journalist and director of the Catholic television station Al-Mahed Nativity TV Station in Bethlehem, said: "Abu Mazen's request at the U.N. is a symbolic act. Even if the U.N. votes to recognize a Palestinian state, the change would be only on paper and not in reality. Israel and the United States have already stated they will never recognize a state created by a unilateral act on the part of the PNA." The journalist explained that the attempt by Abu Mazen serves to revive the fortunes of the PNA who for months has been affected by a severe economic crisis that is forcing thousands of people, especially Christians, to emigrate. "We are close to collapsing", explained Qumsieh, "and even a recognition by the U.N. would not change the situation much, if there is no cooperation on Israel's part."

In September 2011, the Palestinian Authority submitted an application for admission to the United Nations to be accepted as a member state, but so far, the Security Council has not yet met to decide. The United States has threatened to veto. According to Israel, Palestine's entry into the United Nations would not bring about any change in the relationship between the two realities and would distance the possibility of a lasting peace agreement. The dialogues have been stalled since 2010 because of the clash on settlement construction in the West Bank and East Jerusalem by the Israelis.

In recent days, Ban Ki-moon, Secretary-General of the United Nations, has emphasized that the two-state solution is the only option for achieving a lasting peace between Israelis and Palestinians. For the diplomat, the settlement policy pursued by Israel pushes away any possibility of an agreement between the two parties. (S.C.)