Unilateral Palestinian Independence Declaration: The Big Issue of 2011?

By Barry Rubin

Robin Shepherd and David Horovitz, the Jerusalem Post editor, have written important analyses of the Palestinian Authority (PA) drive to bypass negotiations, declare independence unilaterally, and gain international support for that goal. This would give the PA all the advantages of a state--leaving its hands untied to pursue a Round Two to destroy Israel--without having made any concessions or commitments.

This outcome is not inevitable--especially if there is strong U.S. opposition--but it might well be the most important issue of 2011 so it is good to study and consider now. For reasons why such an outcome can be disastrous for U.S. and Western, as well as Israel's, interests, see here.