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The 'flying chair' being created in a workshop in the West Bank city of Jenin at the end of August. AP Photo/Mohammed Ballas
flying visit

Palestinian 'flying chair' UN campaign comes to Dublin

Chair upholstered in pale blue material to symbolise bid to have Palestinian state recognised as a member of United Nations.

A DELEGATION IS arriving in Ireland this evening to publicise a bid to have the UN recognise an independent Palestinian state.

The Palestinian Popular Campaign for Palestine 194 brings it so-called “flying chair” to Dublin on a brief stop-off before heading on to the UN in New York. The chair, upholstered in a blue shade used on seats in the UN’s main chamber, has been embroidered with the word ‘Palestine’ to symbolise the state the Palestinian Authority hopes will be recognised by the UN later this month.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas is to present a formal application on 20 September for Palestine to become the 194th member of the United Nations. The chair will be central to a press conference being held by the Mission of Palestine in Ireland tomorrow morning at 10am in Leinster House. Ambassador Hikmat Ajjuri of the Mission of Palestine said today:

The landing of our ‘flying chair’ in Dublin is a reflection of how dear Ireland is to the hearts of the Palestinians.

The ambassador wrote an opinion piece for TheJournal.ie earlier this month, stating that “the right of the Palestinian people to self-determination has been universally recognised by the UN”. He said that the bid to have a Palestinian state recognised by the UN was “a civilised course of action”.

Israel’s Ambassador to Ireland, Boaz Modai, also wrote this month for TheJournal.ie. He argued that a Palestinian “unilateral declaration of statehood” would not bring the region closer to peace and said the Palestinian authorities should be focusing on negotiating with Israel on issues of borders, security arrangements, the status of Jerusalem, the refugee issue and water resources.

Meanwhile, the debate continues in our Read Me section – click on

Column: Whatever happens at the UN, the Israeli occupation will continue>

Column: Why peace has eluded the Middle East>

Column: Is a Palestinian unilateral declaration of statehood really a road to peace? – Israel’s ambassador to Ireland>

Column: The Palestinian people have an inalienable right to independence>

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