City Council weighs in on U.N. Palestinian question

Philadelphia City Council sounded like the United Nations this week as members considered a resolution from Northeast Philadelphia Republican Brian O’Neill opposing the forthcoming U.N. vote on recognizing a Palestinian state.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has said he will ask the Security Council next week to accept the Palestinians as full members at the United Nations. In so doing, Abbas would be risking a threatened U.S. veto.

In Philadelphia Friday, council members heard strong opinions from several Philadelphians on the issue.

“The anticipated U.N. action is ill-conceived, counterproductive and dangerous,” said one.

“One mile from here is Independence Hall where we as Americans voted for our own unilateral independence,” countered another. “Let’s not take away that from the Palestinians.”

“The U.N. General Assembly vote is merely a license for the Palestinian authority and for Hamas to continue its terror, and to kill Israelis,” asserted a third resident.

“Why is City Council reaching out to get involved in supporting legislation that is divisive and has nothing to do with the city of Philadelphia?” demanded another.

Not a single council member spoke. After the public comments, the pro-Israel resolution passed 14 to 2 with one abstention.