As children we have always been told to play nice with other kids. If the United States and Israel were children, they would be in trouble quite often.

The U.S. has supported Israel since its creation on May 14, 1948. Until this day, the United States continues to aid Israel, while this aid is being used to occupy Palestinian land.

It’s time for the Palestinians to have their own land.

Israel was established after the U.N. designated an area for a Jewish state, an Arab state, and an international zone including Jerusalem.

The Arab-Israeli war began the next day when Jordan, Syria, Egypt, and Iraq invaded Israel, later attacked by Lebanon. The war resulted in Israeli victory; Israel than began annexing land further beyond the boundaries of their state and about 700,000 Palestinians fled their homes.

These Palestinian refugees deserve to return to their homes. Palestine should be granted statehood and a fair amount of land should be given. This decision should be handled by the U.N., since Israel and the Palestinians are not able to negotiate in peace talks.

Another thing we were taught to do since we were children was to share. Israel would have a hard time doing that, especially when it comes to land.

The U.N. has created boundaries before, so it should be able to do it again. However, the U.N. did so without agreement between Israel and the Palestinians.

“The argument that the Palestinians should not be granted a state until there is a mutually agreed upon settlement is more than a little ironic since the U.N. recognized Israel as a state in 1949 without any such final agreement,” said government professor Peter Davies.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has submitted an application for Palestinian statehood. The U.S. and Israel are trying to convince members to oppose or abstain, so the U.S. would not have to veto.

“The historic peace process is a failure, and non-violent and peaceful methods of self-determination should be rewarded, not vetoed,” said Wendy DeSouza, professor of humanities and religious studies. “Even if they do not achieve their objective at this time, by nations of conscience recognizing Palestinian statehood it strengthens their cause.”

Israeli President Benjamin Netanyahu said the Palestinians do need a state, but must first make peace with Israel. Why must the Palestinians make peace with Israel? It should be mutual; after all, Israel has been illegally occupying Palestinian land for 60 years now.

Abbas said he will not engage in talks until Israel stops building settlements in the occupied territories. Abbas must receive nine out of 15 votes from the U.N. Security Council for Palestine to be granted statehood.

Establishing a Palestinian state it is going to take some time. The more support Abbas receives the more likely the state will become a reality.

The Palestinians, amidst the Arab Spring, want to be heard by the rest of the world. The Palestinians have had enough of Israeli occupation and want the world to stand with them.

“This represents a historic move of a direct dialogue between representatives of the Palestinian people and the world community,” DeSouza said. “Knowing full-well that they are facing tremendous odds, President Mahmoud Abbas and other senior Palestinian officials are pushing for statehood, which I believe will ultimately strengthen direct negotiations with Israel and help achieve a lasting peace.”

The U.S. support for a Palestinian state would be too much of a break with Israel, Davies said.

“I believe (the U.S.) should abstain,” Davies said. “It is not the U.S.’ best interest to further alienate and anger public opinion in the Middle East by casting a veto.”

It may be a risk for the U.S. to vote or to veto, so the best option would be to abstain. Especially since Israel is a crucial ally for the U.S., and the U.S. is in no position to lose anything at this time.

Even with the necessary amount of votes to be granted statehood, does the occupation really end there?

“Neither the West Bank or the Gaza Strip will be any freer of Israeli control after recognition than they are now,” Davies said. “If the Palestinians do get some form of official recognition at the U.N. that new status in of itself is not going to be some sort of geopolitical catastrophe that endangers Israel’s existence. This is primarily just a symbolic fight.”

This may be more of a symbolic fight, but if Palestinian territory is granted statehood it will be a boost of hope for the Palestinians. After being occupied for so long it is only seems fair Palestine be recognized on a map.

The U.S. and Israel may need a timeout to really think about what is best for not only themselves, but the Palestinians as well.

Although Israel is a crucial ally for the U.S., this issue is much larger than that. Every human being should be granted freedom no matter where in the world they live. The U.S. should be the first country supporting of any plan that will put an end to a long-term conflict.

Marwa Diaf can be reached at [email protected]