60 Years Ago The State of Israel Was Born - Today Peace Plan Calls For Israel's "Partition"

On November 29, 1947 the United Nations General Assembly approved the resolution that led to the establishment of a Jewish State. Thirty three countries voted in favour at the time, 13 voted against the resolution and there were 10 abstentions.

The countries that voted against the resolution included Turkey, India, Afghanistan, Syria, Iran, Iraq, Lebanon, Pakistan, Saudi ARabia, Yemen, Cuba, Egypt, India, Turkey and Greece. The countries that abstained included Argentina, Chile, China, El Salvador, Ethiopia, Great Britain, Ireland, Yugoslavia and Mexico.

Two years after the vote Turkey became the first Moslem country to recognize the State of Israel. India recognized Israel in 1992.

The UN resolution delineated a two state solution that were to share common currency. The city of Jerusalem was to be demilitarized and placed under an international status. Within one year of the resolution going into effect, Arabs living in the Jewish State could apply for citizenship of the Arab state and Jews living in the Arab State could apply for citizenship of the Jewsih State.

Today, just days after the Annapolis conference, Israel once again faces a kind of partition. Palestinian negotiaters have said they refuse to recognize Israel as a Jewish State and demand that east Jerusalem become the capital of the future Palestinian State. In Israel, a bill passed in the Knesset requires a majority vote for any future changes regarding Jerusalem's borders and status. Prime Minister Olmert has said that Israel's sovereignty over the Temple Mount is not up for discussion, a point that the Palestinians view a vital part of any agreement with Israel.

In the coming months Israeli and Palestinian negotiating teams will begin discussing the core issues, not just the status of Jerusalem, but also the amount of land the Palestinians will demand Israel turn over to them. Will Israel be required to return to pre 1967 borders, and if Syria decides to embark on a peace deal with Israel, then the Golan Heights will also be lost.

Sixty years later, Israel is still under threat, and continues to strive for recognition in the Arab world. Israel sixty years later, still suffers from Palestinian initiated violence and terror and still strives to live within secure borders. It appears that despite all negotiations for peace, history once again is repeating itself. As Israel marks the 60th anniversary of the UN Resolution 181, the United Nations declares an official day of solidarity with the Palestinian people.11/29/07