Students for Justice in Palestine rally to support U.N. membership

As Palestinians prepare to approach the United Nations in New York about membership, shouts of,… As Palestinians prepare to approach the United Nations in New York about membership, shouts of, “Palestine bring down the wall, democracy must be for all,” echoed through the streets of Oakland.

Students for Justice in Palestine rallied at the intersection of Forbes Avenue and Bigelow Boulevard Thursday to show support for the U.N. membership bid, waving Palestinian flags and signs that displayed phrases such as “Palestine has the right to exist.”

About 25 students who came out to support the Palestinians marched out into the middle of the intersection during red lights to shout “Free, free Palestine” and display a large Palestinian flag as cars drove by honking horns.

The hour-long demonstration took place on the International Day of Democracy, a U.N. General Assembly-observed day, which junior and SJP President Ryan Branagan said is fitting to both the organization’s actions Thursday and those expected of the Palestinians next week.

“We want to raise awareness of Palestinians’ sovereignty rights over their land,” Branagan said.

Palestinian leadership will attend the annual U.N. gathering this Monday, where it can discuss the approach to gaining statehood in two ways.

It can make a statehood bid to the Security Council, which the the U.S. has declared it would veto. If that occurs, Palestinian officials can approach the

General Assembly for a vote, which can upgrade Palestinians to a “nonmember observer state.” Nonmember states can participate in U.N. sessions and work with the General Assembly.

Palestinian Authority minister Riad Malki said Thursday in a press release that if alternative solutions are not proposed in time, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas would submit the application for full membership Sept. 23.

Senior and Panthers for Israel business manager Micah Toll said that the Palestinian proposition for membership is “unilateral.”

“They are avoiding peaceful negotiations with Israel,” Toll said.

Panthers for Israel President Sam Mellits said that by going to the U.N., Palestinians are making the chance for peace with Israelis more difficult.

“I would say [negotiations are] the only option,” Mellits said. “The U.N. does not give you peace. The U.N. might give the Palestinians a state, but that doesn’t give peace.”

Branagan said that if the Palestinians go to the U.N., “diplomatic pressure will be placed on the U.S. and Israel.” He said that the actions of the states will demonstrate whether they are committed to a two-state solution and democracy in the Middle East.

Israel and the United States have both tried to stop the proposition from going to the U.N., prefering direct negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians.

A year ago, a conflict concerning Israeli settlement construction in the West Bank and East Jerusalem resulted in peace talks between Israel and Palestinians. Those talks broke down, and Palestinians claimed the areas, both previously claimed by Israel in the 1967 Six-Day War, for their future state.

Since then, Palestinians have started a campaign for U.N. membership based on their1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as the potential state’s capital.

Panthers for Israel, the Pittsburgh Israel Public Affairs Committee and StandWithUs, a nonprofit, pro-Israel education and advocacy program, provided a joint statement which said, “We support the creation of a democratic and independent Palestinian state coexisting peacefully alongside the Jewish and democratic State of Israel. We understand that a lasting peace between Israel and the Palestinians is only possible through direct bilateral negotiations.”

Senior and vice president of SJP Karina Goulordava spent five weeks in the Palestinian territories this summer and said that she hopes that this demonstration will bring attention to the “Palestinian issue.”

“Democracy is not being given to the people,” she said. “They deserve that right.”

Assistant News Editor Tegan Hanlon contributed to this report.