By David Dolan
DDolan.com 
Leaders of the Palestinian Authority autonomy government have begun to indicate that they may drop their announced plans to seek a United Nations General Assembly endorsement of a unilateral statehood declaration, which they had been planning to make next September in New York. Analysts say the apparent change of heart is the direct result of American President Barack Obama’s announcement earlier this month that his administration will oppose any unilateral move that does not flow out of direct peace negotiations between the PA and Israel.
The President’s stand was revealed during a press conference with visiting German Chancellor Angela Merkel, who suggested that her government — by far the largest in the powerful European Union — would also oppose any one-sided Palestinian move.
Meanwhile opinion surveys taken recently amongst the Palestinians reveal that a majority of respondents support the PA’s desire to unilaterally declare statehood before the General Assembly. They also show that most want to see Western-supported PA Prime Minister Salam Fayyad remain in his current position. Leaders of the extremist Palestinian Hamas movement which is joining the PA have called for Fayyad’s removal.
Related Links
Abbas says U.S. can stop statehood bid - UPI Pressure mounts on Palestinians to abandon U.N. statehood gambit - JewishJournal.com Fayyad offers to resign for unity - Ynetnews Israel urges Apple to remove pro-Palestinian app - MSNBC Hamas leader: Armed resistance best - USA Today
