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Source: http://www.haaretz.com/print-edition/opinion/ignore-the-impossible-go-for-the-probable-1.372065
Misconceptions about the Palestinian Bid for UN Recognition in September
(Ha'aretz) Yonatan Touval - The UN will not vote on recognition of a Palestinian state because it can't. According to international law, only states can recognize other states. The Palestinians are unlikely to declare their independence any time soon. They have stated they have no intention of declaring a state absent a final-status agreement. While it is possible for the Palestinians to seek full membership in the UN, it is hard to see how they could do so without first declaring statehood (which they are loathe to do). While states need not necessarily be members of the UN - classic examples are Taiwan today or Switzerland until 2002 - only states can become full members of the UN. The international community should do its utmost to spare the Palestinians an awkward letdown at the UN this September.