Excellent article, Joseph.

I would add one thing though - that US may not be alone in witholding financial aid, as reported here: http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/284386/news/world/un-set-to-implicitly-recognize-palestinian-state-despite-us-israel-threats

which states: "State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland reiterated U.S. warnings that the move could cause a reduction of U.S. economic support for the Palestinians. The Israelis have also warned they might take significant deductions out of monthly transfers of duties that Israel collects on the Palestinians' behalf."

And here are a couple of excellent articles that all should read:

http://www.haaretz.com/opinion/israel-alone-and-self-righteous.premium-1.481196

http://www.haaretz.com/opinion/on-november-29-israel-should-vote-for-two-states.premium-1.481277

After today, the ball will be well and truly in Israel's court and the world will watch to see if they play a fair game.

It's difficult to answer this without some reader translating my words into 'anti-semitism'. I see Palestinians and Israelis as brother/sister Semitic people separated by that permanently divisive entity, religion.
As far as Australia is concerned, our leaders are still slavishly following the command of the "USA/Israeli vote card" by abstaining from voting. "We must do what we're told to do by the USA" has been our pathetic mantra for far too long.

"After today, the ball will be well and truly in Israel's court and the world will watch to see if they play a fair game," says Scribbler.

When has Israel ever played a fair game? I must've missed it. Perhaps you could remind me?

While the recognition of the Palestinian state is a right step towards the two states solution to the middle east problem, it was not put clearly by the Palestinian, that they recognise the existence of the sate of Israel.

Dr Avner OTTENSOOSER
Woollahra

well said Joseph!

In response to Dr Ottensooser: It is one thing to recognise the existence of the racist settler state of Israel on Palestinian land. However the Zionists are demanding that the Palestinians extend this recognition to accepting that Israel is legitimate and can and should last for ever.

It is not legitimate. It was established by violence and is retained and continuously expanded by violence. It doesn't even have a constitution for fear of having to define its borders. And it won' t last far beyond the end of America's dependence on Middle East oil.

While the Palestinians would be fools not to recognise the de facto existence of Israel, they would be much worse fools to accept it as legitimate and permanent.