Panamas vote against Palestine could prove negative
Panama, the only country in Latin America to join the U,S, and Israel in voting against Palestine as a state observer member of the UN, could bring negative consequences in the Arab world, analysts say.
Panama was one of only nine countries rejecting the proposal in the vote held by the UN General Assembly.
"The consequences in the Arab and Muslim world and could be very gray and they will take a stand against Panama in international organizations. It is going to take its toll," Dr Jorge Aparicio who specializes in international relations in the Arab world. Told the AFP news agency,
"The world knows that the government of Ricardo) Martinelli is not representative of the Panamanian people, but notes the slip" said Julio Yao, Professor of International Law at the University of Panama.
The Panamanian government refuted both warnings Says AFP,
For both experts, the Panamanian vote is about alignment policies of the the U.S. and Israel, to protect the huge investments that the Jewish community has in the country that contribute to the economic boom.
"Panamanian politics are currently governed by or acting in the interests of global politics in the United States," said Aparicio.
"Part of economic growth and the rise of the finances of the Panamanian economy is because Israeli capital have flowed into the country, said Aparicio, who mentioned bilateral agreements in the field of security.
“Martinelli believes that this gesture will mean support from the U.S. for its fragile and shaky government, tainted with corruption, shame and scandal" said Aparacio.
Yao added that Israel never supported the cause to regain the Panama Canal from American hands, unlike the Arab countries.
Foreign Minister Romulo Roux, said on Friday, November 30 "Our vote is for peace," and that Israel intends to "sit and talk" with Palestinian authorities and find a "fit" so that both Palestine and Israel can live