by Stephen Lendman

A universal right. "(B)ased on respect for the principle of equal rights and self-determination of peoples," according to the UN Charter, Article 1.

A fundamental human right. "Everyone…entitled to all" Universal Declaration of Human Rights "freedoms…"

"(W)ithout distinction of any kind, such as race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status."

"(O)n the basis of the political, jurisdictional or international status of the country or territory to which a person belongs, whether it be independent, trust, non-self-governing or under any other limitation of sovereignty."

An estimated 134 countries recognize Palestinian statehood.

Sweden the latest to join ranks with others. The first EU country to do so. In October, British MPs overwhelmingly expressed support.

Symbolically. Short of official recognition. Some day perhaps. Not now. Torries, Labor and Lib Dems march in lockstep with Israel.

Perhaps support one day will wane. Israeli high crimes against peace provide plenty of incentive. Britain has its own cross to bear. So do other rogue EU states.

Pariah ones deserve condemnation, not encouragement. Lawlessness demands accountability.

On November 28, French lower house National Assembly members have their say. On December 11, senators follow.

Symbolically. Non-binding. On Palestinian statehood. "(A)s an instrument to achieve a definitive solution to the conflict," they say.

Unclear so far how they'll vote. Foreign Ministry spokesman Romain Nadal said "France is attached to a two-state solution."

"(I)mpl(ying) future recognition," he added. France previously supported Palestine's UNESCO membership. Its non-member observer status.

According to Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius:

"From the moment when we say there are two states, there will be (automatic) recognition of" Palestinian statehood. "That goes without saying. It's logical."

"The only question (concerns) modalities and how to do it in the most efficient way. What we want is not something symbolic, but something that is useful for peace."

"Until now the prevailing idea was that recognition should be linked to the negotiations. But if negotiations were to prove impossible or have no conclusion, then France will naturally have to assume its responsibilities."

In 2012, then presidential candidate Francois Hollande supported Palestinian statehood. Calling for "international recognition."

On Wednesday, government spokesman Stephane Le Foll said French recognition depends on broad international efforts. To end decades of conflict and violence.

"The government's responsibility is not just to recognize a state - a Palestinian state. It's to make sure that it's recognized on an international scale," he added.

Citing a two-track approach. On the one hand, parliamentary consideration. On the other, diplomatically through Security Council resolution.

Where US veto power has final say. Supporting Israel's worst crimes irresponsibly.

Nadal struck a positive note. Saying France will "do what it takes." If peace negotiations fail. Or don't resume. He stopped short of elaborating.

The bad news is Western leaders march in lockstep with lawless Israeli policy. Supporting its worst crimes. Failing to demand accountability in international tribunals.

The good news is even symbolic statehood support matters. Suggesting eventual official recognition.

Even if years ahead. Small steps forward win big battles. Near-universal recognition of Palestinian statehood is just a matter of time.

Expect Washington, Israel and some small Pacific islands America controls to be final holdouts. Not enough to stop history's tide.

What matters most is future Palestinian governance. Democratic or otherwise. Current PA officials have no legitimacy whatever.

Collaborating with Israel against fundamental Palestinian rights. Enforcing its ruthlessness. Lawlessly. Recklessly. Irresponsibly. Proving they're unqualified to serve.

Rogue Israel governance lacked legitimacy from inception. Now more than ever.

Fascists masquerade as democrats. Racists lie about all citizens having equal rights.

Assassins call premeditated cold-blooded mass murder self-defense. Menacing Jews and non-Jews alike.

Netanyahu outrageously ordered his interior minister to revoke citizenship rights of anyone calling for Israel's destruction.

Code language for publicly opposing its ruthless agenda. High crimes against peace. Slow-motion genocide. Waging premeditated wars at its discretion.

Inventing nonexistent threats. Institutionalized racism. Collective punishment. Settlements on stolen Palestinian land. Incarcerating thousands of Palestinians for their political beliefs.

Brutalizing them for not being Jews. Mocking fundamental civil and human rights. Advancing its imperial agenda lawlessly.

Ignoring fundamental international humanitarian and human rights laws. Including Fourth Geneva. Mandating occupying powers treat civilians humanely.

Refrain from violence of any kind. Treat sick and wounded residents. Provide adequate food, healthcare and shelter.

Afford judicial fairness. Care for "protected persons" under their control in all respects.

Human rights group Al Haq once said "Israel's reliance on self-defense misconstrues international law to evade (its) legal obligations."

Netanyahu represents the worst of Israeli governance. Lawless. Ruthless. Reckless. Thuggish and then some. More despot than democrat.

Haaretz editors calling him "against the State of Israel." Based on his inflammatory rhetoric. Exposing his dark side. Revealed numerous times other ways.

"His modus operandi is always the same," said Haaretz editors.

"He does everything in his power to torpedo any possible agreement with the Palestinians, and then exploits the frustration created by his rejectionism to inflame the atmosphere."

"He sets absurd preconditions for beginning negotiations (like recognizing Israel as the Jews' nation state), and then, after the Palestinian frustration has become tangible in the streets, 'invites everyone who demonstrates against Israel and in favor of the Palestinian state to move there; we won't put any obstacles in your path.' "

He "systematically reverses cause and effect." Portraying Israeli aggression as self-defense. Victimized Palestinians as terrorists.

Deploring peace and stability. Waging wars at his discretion. Against defenseless civilians.

Denying Palestinians universally recognized self-determination rights within 1967 borders. Refusing to negotiate other substantive issues responsibly.

Including ending occupation harshness. Palestinian rights over their land, borders, air space, coastal waters and resources.

The right of return. East Jerusalem as their exclusive capital. Freeing thousands of political prisoners.

Peace, equity and justice. Rights everyone deserves. Ones Israel categorically spurns.

After anger justifiably erupts, attacking unarmed Palestinians ruthlessly. Wanting Arab Israeli citizenship rights revoked. Opponents of lawless government policies.

Investing enormous energy into buying time. The more gotten, "the more crushing the blow will be to the chances for" a durable lasting peace, said Haaretz editors.

"(S)ystematically unravel(ling) sensitive seams in the fabric of Israeli life. (W)eaken(ing) Arab citizens' feelings of Israeli identity…"

"(D)emonizing Jewish citizens" wanting equitable conflict resolution. Netanyahu today exceeds the worst of his earlier prime ministerial 1996-99 incarnation.

Treating millions of Palestinians as subhumans reveals his true face. Making him unfit to lead.

Replacing him with legitimate leadership is essential. Holding him accountable for high crimes too egregious to ignore.

Affording Palestinians long denied peace, equity and justice. Universally recognized self-determination. What can't come a moment too soon.

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Stephen Lendman lives in Chicago and can be reached at lendmanstephen@sbcglobal.net.

His new book as editor and contributor is titled "Flashpoint in Ukraine: How the US Drive for Hegemony Risks World War III".

http://www.claritypress.com/LendmanIII.html

Visit his blog site at sjlendman.blogspot.com.

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