Report: European states threaten to recognize Palestinian statehood
Various nations are reportedly contemplating move following Sweden if peace talks between Israel and Palestinians aren't relaunched.
By JPOST.COM STAFFEU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini (L) at a media conference with PM Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem November 7, 2014(photo credit: REUTERS)
Additional European nations have reportedly threatened to follow suit of Sweden and unilaterally recognize Palestinian statehood if peace talks between Israel and the Palestinian Authority are not relaunched.A Wall Street Journal report published late Friday cited senior US and European officials as reporting the potential move that some of Washington's main allies have considered."Other European countries are poised to follow Sweden," a senior European official told the WSJ."We're not going to wait forever," the official was quoted as saying in reference to the potential of his country to decide to recognize a Palestinian state.The report comes amid a heightened wave of unrest in Jerusalem, where tensions are raising the prospect of a new Palestinian uprising .Last week, the Swedish government became the first EU actor to recognize Palestine.Palestinians seek statehood in the West Bank and the blockaded Gaza Strip, with east Jerusalem as their capital. They have sought to sidestep stalled peace talks by lobbying foreign powers to recognize their sovereignty claim.In October, the British parliament held a symbolic vote that recognized a Palestinian state. The Irish parliament also made a similar move with its Upper House passing a low-profile, nonbinding resolution calling for the government to recognize "Palestine."A move is also reportedly afoot in France to compel the government to officially recognize a Palestinian state.According to AFP, left-wing lawmakers in the French Parliament are readying to submit a motion calling on the government to extend recognition.
On Friday, the European Union’s new foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini said she wants to see a Palestinian state by the time she leaves office.Reuters contributed to this report.
