RAMALLAH, West Bank — Palestinian protesters burned effigies of President Barack Obama and stomped on U.S. flags Thursday in one of the largest recent displays of anti-American sentiment here, sparked by the United States’ pledge to veto any request for U.N. membership for a Palestinian state.
Gathered outside the residence of Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, who’s expected to address the U.N. General Assembly in New York today, the protesters denounced Obama, whom they accused of siding with Israel in the lengthy impasse over peace negotiations.
“Obama betrayed the Palestinian people. He sided with Israel against us and showed what kind of leader he is and what America truly thinks of Palestine,” said Mahmoud Abouta, 17, who carried a sign with Obama’s name crossed out.
Abbas is expected to appeal for U.N. membership during his speech today and has said he’ll submit a formal application to U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon that will propose a state that would comprise the West Bank, East Jerusalem and the Gaza Strip. Ban then would pass that application to the Security Council for consideration. As one of five permanent members, the United States has the power to veto anything that comes before the Security Council.
Israel has opposed the bid, and the U.S. has echoed its position, calling the proposed application a unilateral step that hurts peace negotiations between the countries. McClatchy Newspapers
