By Philip Iglauer
Israel rallied Christian supporters in Seoul ahead of a crucial vote on Palestinian statehood that will take place at United Nations meetings later this month.
Israel’s ambassador to Korea Tuvia Israeli delivered a speech at a religious service during the Jerusalem Peace Prayer Meeting & Seminar at the The Korean Church Centennial Memorial Building on Sept. 8.
“I know Israel is far away and the issue is complicated. So we appreciate the organizers for rallying in support of Israeli,” the ambassador said at the day-long event organized by the Israel Ministries Network, a group designed in support of Israel.
“It appears that the Palestinian leadership has abandoned direct negotiations and is attempting to force their positions on Israel through international pressure,” he said.
On the vote the Israeli envoy said, “The Palestinians will be emboldened by a unilateral declaration, so emboldened that they will not return to the negotiating table. In the name of peace I hope the international community will reject unilateral actions.”
A crowd of about 100 came out to hear the Israeli. One participant, intern pastor Lee Jeong said he supports Israel as a result of his understanding of the bible and is “praying for the vote to fail.”
Palestinians may push for a resolution for full Palestinian U.N. membership at the U.N. Security Council, which meets this month in New York but, anticipating a U.S. veto there, Palestinian officials have said they could also present a General Assembly resolution that would upgrade their standing from "entity" to "non-member state." The Vatican holds equivalent diplomatic status at the world body.
The Palestinians are seeking an independent state in the West Bank, the Gaza Strip and East Jerusalem ― territories occupied by Israel in the 1967 Middle East War.
Even the more modest General Assembly vote, which the Palestinians are sure to win, would pave the way for them to join dozens of U.N. bodies and conventions, and could strengthen their ability to pursue cases against Israel at the International Criminal Court.
Earlier in the month at the conclusion of a farewell address at the Begin Heritage Center in Jerusalem, outgoing Korean Ambassador to Israel Ma Young-sam gave a “diplomatic and noncommittal answer,” when asked how his country will vote in the event a resolution on Palestinian statehood goes up before the UN General Assembly, according to a report by The Jerusalem Post.
According to the report, which was published on Sept. 2, Ma said he hoped America and the European Union will be able to persuade the parties to return to the negotiating table before the General Assembly session and thereby avoid a confrontation at the U.N. He said that Korea is looking at both the Israeli and the Palestinian positions, and watching to see what is happening, adding: “Direct dialogue is the only way.”
Amb. Israeli said he “would be completely surprised” if Korea voted in favor of a resolution this month at the U.N. General Assembly that would upgrade the Palestinian Authority’s diplomatic status, and expects Korean support, because “Korea is a friend.”