Many have reacted on social media after former American president Jimmy Carter called on President Obama to recognize Palestinian statehood, before it’s too late.
137 countries currently recognize the State of Palestine, which has non-member observer status at the UN. However, the US continues not to be among them, despite the Obama administration reiterating its support for a two-state solution.
It has been widely suggested, however, that the arrival in office of incumbent president Donald Trump could see the end of any prospect of a Palestinian state.
A number of Twitter users responded positively to Carter’s words, including the Middle East editor of Newsweek, Janine di Giovanni, who wrote:
I always liked #JimmyCarter. Now he's a hero. Carter to #POTUS Recognize the State of Palestine https://t.co/MZkTIgmY2k via @NewsweekEurope
— Janine di Giovanni (@janinedigi) November 29, 2016
Lots of Palestinians were also keen to express their gratitude to Carter for his words, expressed in an op-ed for the New York Times on Monday:
@revhumanrights @POTUS
— Baz4peace (@Baz4peace) November 30, 2016
From Palestine to a Human President Jimmy Carter
Thank you ,wish best of health & life forever
Peace be with you pic.twitter.com/4BCIpkXQiI
Others, however, felt that it was too little too late from the man who famously negotiated the controversial Camp David Accords between Egypt and Israel:
Empty words
And why didn’t he recognize [Palestine] when he was President?
Of course, on the other side of the coin were those who are opposed to any recognition of Palestine or the Palestinian struggle. Israel, like America, continues not recognize the State of Palestine. This tweeter, however, seems to have conveniently forgotten that Palestine recognized the State of Israel in 1993:
NO!!! Jimmy Carter @BarackObama America won't recognize Palestine
— AppSame (@AppSame) November 29, 2016
Not today Not tomorrow not until they recognize @Israel pic.twitter.com/8EAp4N2dCN
Carter destroyed Iran & brought Mullahs to power. Obama is Carter's mini-me. Palestine was never been a country. https://t.co/6Thm5IUM03
— Highway Star (@HwyStar1535) November 30, 2016
Several journalists have produced responses claiming that Carter is wrong, and that Obama should not acknowledge Palestinian statehood. They needed worry. Given that Obama recently approved $38 billion to be provided by the US government in military aid to Israel over a ten-year period, it seems unlikely that he would chose offend his Israeli buddies by recognizing Palestine so close to the end of his presidency.
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