Paul Calvert spoke with Nabeel Hamouz about the vote

Nabeel Hamouz

In the next few days it is likely that Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas will address the United Nations to table a vote on Palestinian statehood. According to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency there were 4.7 million Palestinian refugees registered with the UN in 2010. With 91% living in crowded conditions in Palestinian territories like Bethlehem and a staggering 48% of the population under 18, whatever the outcome of this vote, it is crucial that the world considers the plight of the Palestinian people.

Paul Calvert spent some time with Nabeel Hamouz, a Palestinian journalist from Bethlehem to find out what the view of the average person on the ground is towards this new move by Mahmoud Abbas.

Paul: What does statehood mean to you as a Palestinian?

Nabeel: Statehood is something that we need. We are missing the security of it here as we are living in our own homes, while we go to our work, everything. Statehood is something that we do miss; to be recognised in many countries, that's one thing and also to get the freedom to feel safe.

Paul: Is it more about being a state or being recognised by other people?

Nabeel: It's more about being recognised as Palestinians. I have been out in so many places and I'm still not recognised as a Palestinian in many countries.

Paul: Do you think they will get statehood recognition when they go for the vote?

Nabeel: Personally I don't think this will happen, even though going to the United Nations we have most of Europe agreeing with us, apart from three countries; England is one of them.

What we are asking for is quite a big thing. We do need it, but in some ways it is for the Palestinian and in other ways it is against the Palestinian. We do support the President Mahmoud Abbas in every action he takes because we believe it is for the benefit of the Palestinians; to live in a better state and to have a better life.

Paul: How do you think statehood will give you a better life?

Nabeel: The thing is what kind of statehood are we talking about? That's a big question. We are asking for statehood and we are asking to be recognised by the United Nations, but does that mean we are going to get all the freedom we are asking for as a country? For example Britain has ruled many nations and now they have become independent states and owned by the people who live there. When we speak about Palestine and Israel and a Palestinian state, does that mean we are going to have our own airport, our own government that rules by themselves; that's the question!

Paul: If you do get a Palestinian state what will change on the ground?

Nabeel: Mahmoud Abbas has said he wants to go to the United Nations to ask for the right to be recognised as a Palestinian state. It's not just the idea of actually going and getting a state, because Mahmoud Abbas knows how impossible that is, but we are asking for something more, to be recognised as a country so that we can be able to negotiate with Israel, with America, Europe and everybody. Then when we take a step in order to live in peace or a step to get freedom, human rights, something like this, when we are recognised as a state, as a Palestinian state, then in many countries, especially in the United Nations, that will give us a foundation and something to stand on and shout aloud that we are Palestinians and we have rights and we want them; that's all.

Paul: There is a big issue about human rights here, where Palestinians aren't really allowed to travel and there is the issue of security for Israel. How do you get the balance for that? Israel needs to have security, but at the same time you need to have your human rights.