UN vote a moral step in the right direction

I am wholeheartedly congratulating the Palestinian people for finally winning the United Nations General Assembly’s implicit recognition as a sovereign state when it got the vote to become a nonmember state. I am so touched by this historical event.

Indeed, I certainly believe that the people of Palestine are so happy and honored to see their national flag hoisted outside the United Nations.

It is in this great sense that I am applauding the noble and brave decision of the General Assembly. It did the right thing (despite the tremendous pressure from and the overwhelming opposition by the United States and Israel) by finally recognizing Palestine and inducting it as a bona fide member (albeit as a nonmember state) of this prestigious global body.

Shame on both Israel and the United States for voting against the resolution and going against the will of the majority and the international conscience of humanity.

Though the General Assembly’s recognition and membership are not the ultimate aim of the Palestinian cause, there is no doubt whatsoever that this auspicious and truly momentous event is a necessary element in and precondition to finally achieving the Palestinian people’s ultimate objective.

This is a moral step in the right direction!

According to the media reports, 138 nations around the world voted to recognize Palestine and quite a number of countries in fact already “maintain diplomatic relations with the Palestinians in one form or another.”

The struggle for the eventual recognition of the Palestinian Authority, not merely as a governing body but also as a free and independent state, continues.

Kudos to all those countries and nations who have recognized Palestine!

Bravo, UN!

Bravo, Palestine!

—JOSE MARIO DOLOR DE VEGA,

Subang Jaya, Darul Ehsan,

Selangor, Malaysia,

[email protected]