This week, Alpher discusses why the PLO toughened its statehood resolution at the Security Council at the last
minute instead of waiting a few days for a friendlier roster of Council members; whether, with France voting for
the resolution and the UK abstaining, if this is a breakthrough for the cause of Palestinian statehood at the level
of international institutions; what is likely to happen now that the Palestinians are going to the International
Criminal Court; possible US and Israeli punitive measures against the Palestinians’ UN and ICC moves; what does the
Fateh movement, the mainstay of the PLO and PA, and which celebrated its fiftieth anniversary on January 1, have to
show for its efforts and how do they tie in with the UN and ICC; and -- what about Israeli elections?