A unilateral declaration of a Palestinian State,

is the latest PA threat. Herb Keinon says their goal is for the international community…to recognize Palestinian sovereignty over east Jerusalem, the West Bank [Judea-Samaria] and Gaza. That which they have failed to gain through negotiations (the Oslo Accords), and through violence (the 2^nd intifada), they now hope to achieve through international dictate. Because momentum on this issue is gathering, it is hard to predict where it will all lead. ("Would the US work against unilateral 'Palestine?'," H. Keinon, JP Analysis, 22 Oct. 2010)

As 2011 begins, several Latin American nations have recognized a Palestinian state, yet of more concern is that, months ago, British Foreign Secretary Wm. Hague signed a 'treaty between nations' with PA leaders… [The] UK Consulate site also referred to Hague's trip to… Ramallah as his first visit to Palestine, apparently recognizing a new country of 'Palestine' before even PA leaders have declared one to exist. ("Britain Signs 'Treaty Between Nations' with PA," Arutz 7, 5 Nov. 2010)

In December, the UK's "pro-Israel" conservative government considered upgrading the status of the PA delegation in London to that of an official diplomatic mission, putting it basically on par with the delegations of sovereign states. France, Spain and Portugal have already done the same with their PA delegations.

Israel fears the EU might soon officially recognize 'Palestine' as an independent state outside the framework of a…final status peace agreement. Then the PA will have all the backing they need in the UN, putting intense pressure on both Israel, and the US, which for now still opposes any unilateral declarations.

The situation has reached this point because the Palestinians have managed to successfully reverse reality and paint Israel as a non-compliant peace partner. Since the world is so anxious to conclude a final status peace deal (even if it doesn't lead to genuine peace), it is ready to give the Palestinians what they want, with or without Israel. ("World inches closer to recognizing 'Palestine'," Israel Today, 27 Dec. 2010)

Danny Dayan, Council of Jewish Communities in Judea and Samaria chairman, sees the creation of a Palestinian State as dangerously premature. The core issues talked about include, borders, security, settlements, refugees…Jerusalem and even water. Yet… the key issue is routinely overlooked, specifically who or what would be the ruling entity of this supposed state.

He doubts whether such a state could ever be a viable and trusted member of the community of nations and a peaceful neighbor for Israel. Why? Because a Hamas victory in free democratic elections in a Palestinian state is almost a certainty, as in the last free parliamentary elections, in 2006, Hamas won in both Gaza and in Judea and Samaria. Also, once "Palestine" is created, a mass influx of 'refugees' from Lebanon, Syria and other countries would only further strengthen Hamas…

For there to be a stable peace, the Palestinian state would not be able to conduct free democratic elections. Moreover, a foreign force, committed to peace, would have to replace Israel to ensure that Hamas does not take power in acoup d'état, as it did in Gaza. This force would need to prevent the democratic free will of the Palestinian people from prevailing! ("The nonviable notion of a Palestinian state," D. Dayan, JP Op-ed, 15 Nov. 2010)