GTF moves to exploit UN recognition of Palestine

By Shamindra Ferdinando-December 1, 2012

The Global Tamil Forum (GTF) pushing for an international war crimes inquiry targeting Sri Lanka over accountability issues during the conflict here yesterday said that the Palestinian authority could use the newly gained UN recognition to take up Israeli atrocities at the International Criminal Court (ICC).

UK based GTF is widely believed to be the most influential Tamil Diaspora organization pushing western powers to haul Sri Lanka up before an international tribunal on the basis of ‘Darusman report’ which dealt with accountability issues.

The GTF was responding to a query by The Sunday Island. GTF spokesman Suren Surendiran said that they whole heartedly congratulated the Palestinians in achieving non-member observer state at the UN which was long overdue.

The UN General Assembly voted overwhelmingly to recognize Palestine as a non-member observer state - a move strongly opposed by Israel and the US.Sri Lankan External Affairs Minister, Prof. G. L. Peiris yesterday told The Sunday Island that the government threw its weight behind the people of Palestine. President Mahinda Rajapaksa always backed the two-state solution for the Palestine-Israel issue in line with 1948 UN resolution.

International media quoted Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas as having said it was the ‘last chance to save the two-state solution’ with Israel.

Israel’s UN envoy said the bid pushed the peace process ‘backwards,’ while the US said the move was "unfortunate".

The Palestinians can now take part in UN debates and potentially join bodies like the International Criminal Court.

The assembly voted 138-9 in favour, with 41 nations abstaining.

The Palestinians hope that access to UN bodies will bring new rights. A successful application for membership of the ICC could be used to accuse Israel of war crimes or make other legal claims against it.

The GTF told The Sunday Island: "Being able to participate as recognized observers in the UN Sessions now also gives the Palestinian Authority the opportunity to legally challenge at the ICC some of the worst atrocities committed against its people by the State of Israel and certain military and non-military individuals for breaching international laws.

However this shouldn’t be an impediment to achieving long term peace and reconciliation through negotiations between the Palestinian Authority and the State of Israel.

Recognizing the existence of the State of Israel and be responsible for the safety of all people of Israel by the Palestinians is vital at this juncture too, he said.

Just as many believe a two state solution will bring long lasting peace and stability in the Middle Eastern region. GTF believes that there are similar circumstances when communities will be better off in the long term when distinct Nations are defined and acknowledged by both parties and the international community.

In such instances mutual respect increases and reconciliation become more sustainable and durable. This also creates greater prospects for communities to respect each other better and more which ultimately results in building successful and friendly nations. In turn this creates stability, prosperity and peace in the region."