Publication

This brief argues that when Palestinian Authority President Abbas formally submitted his bid for recognition of a Palestinian state within the 1967 borders and East Jerusalem as its capital, he did so in spite of US requests to refrain from turning to the UN. This defiance by the PA thus signifies a high degree of self-confidence vis-à-vis the American administration. The PA leadership apparently believes that the administration will not suspend its assistance to the PA, understanding that such a step might mean the collapse of the PA and lead to a situation that would jeopardize US as well as Israeli interests.