A Waikato University Professor believes the Palestinian leaderships push for an independent state is politically motivated.
In an impassioned speech to the UN General Assembly this morning, Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas called for formal recognition of the occupied West Bank and Gaza as an independent state.
The move follows twenty years of failed US-sponsored peace talks and a surge of Arab uprisings in the region.
Professor Dov Bing says Abbas is trying to strengthen the Palestinian Authority’s position after losing Gaza to rivals Hamas in 2006.
“From Abbas’ point of view this is a masterful public relations act because he will make himself more popular amongst the Palestinians. My understanding is that 80 percent of Palestinians support what he’s doing.”
Israeli President Benyamin Netanyahu was quick to condemn Abbas’ call for independence, demanding Palestinians recognise Israel as a Jewish State.
RadioLIVE