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Montevideo, March 29th 2024 - 06:39 UTC

 

 

US and Israel criticize Mercosur members’ recognition of the state of Palestine

Wednesday, December 8th 2010 - 05:10 UTC
Full article 3 comments
US State Department spokesperson Philip Crowley: “any unilateral action is counterproductive” US State Department spokesperson Philip Crowley: “any unilateral action is counterproductive”

United States disapproved of the recognition of a Palestine state from the part of several Latin American countries, saying that direct negotiations between Israelis and Palestinians are still “the only way” to reach peace in the Middle East.

“We do not look favourably upon this line of conduct,” said Philip Crowley, spokesman for the Department of State. “We believe that any unilateral action is counterproductive.”

Argentina recognized an independent Palestine state on Monday and Brazil made similar declarations on Friday, referring to the frontiers from 1967, before Israeli occupation. This includes all Palestine territory: The Gaza Strip, the West Bank, and East Jerusalem.

Uruguay announced its decision to follow suit with an announcement in 2011. Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay are founding and full members of Mercosur the South American trade block.

Israel rejected the initiative, saying that they contradicted peace talks and Israeli-Palestinian agreements (Oslo, 1993).

If the negotiations between Israel and Palestine remain on hold, the Palestinians will look to petition for recognition from Washington of the Palestinian state with the 1967 outlined frontiers, taking that demand to the Security Council and the General Assembly of the United Nations.

Earlier in the day Israeli Foreign Ministry officials expressed outrage at Argentina's announcement that it recognizes a Palestinian state within the pre-1967 war borders, saying it is counterproductive to the Middle East peace process.

Argentine Foreign Minister Hector Timerman on Monday quoted a letter written by President Cristina Fernandez to Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas, in which she informed him of her government's decision to recognize Palestine as “a free and independent state” within the 1967 borders.

The decision is based on a ”deep desire to see an advance in the negotiation process (between Israel and the Palestinians) leading to the establishment of a just peace in the Middle East“ said Timerman.

Israeli Foreign Ministry spokesman Yigal Palmor described Argentina's announcement as ”highly damaging and regrettable,“ saying it ”shattered the foundation of the peace process,“ according to the Ha'aretz newspaper.

The Israeli official said the recognition stampede while peace negotiations are ongoing is ”contrary to the existing legal framework of the peace process,“ adding that it will not change the existing situation or promote reconciliation between the feuding parties.

Another Foreign Ministry official on Tuesday noted the declarations ”constitute a breach of an intermediate agreement signed by Israel and the Palestinian National Authority (PNA) in 1995, which determines that the status of the West Bank can only be determined through negotiations.”
 

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  • xbarilox

    pssssssssssssshooooooooaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah, who cares?
    “Israeli Foreign Ministry spokesman Yigal Palmor described Argentina's announcement as ”highly damaging and regrettable,“ saying it ”shattered the foundation of the peace process,“ according to the Ha'aretz newspaper.” Israel wouldn't be there if it wasn't for the UK and the US. Israel is a zionist invention.

    Palestine forever - Bismillah

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uv6P8xnK0n4

    Dec 08th, 2010 - 06:03 am 0
  • NicoDin

    The Jerusalem Post says:

    “He said the decision also reflected “international solidarity with the right of the Palestinians to “self-determination” and puts an end to Israel’s refusal to accept this right.”

    How can someone can be upset for that hahaha.

    And after all Philip Crowley love Us he referred to Malvinas to the islands when discussing with the Brits.

    Falkland or Malvinas said Phil after a discussion with the Brits.
    http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/worldnews/article-1257096/Falkland-Islands-Or-Malvinas-says-U-S-official-snub-Britain-oil-row.html

    Who had to be assisted with medical treatment after the news was Ileana Ros-Lehtinen Cuban born and US congresswoman (For Florida) and chairwoman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee.

    She is now asking Hilary if she could found out what was the medication using by Cristina K to control her stress because her nerves are broken and want to jump from the Empire State.

    Haha message for you Ileana don’t get your nose out of Florida or try to get involved in other countries affairs can be very dangerous for your Psychological health. Haha

    Dec 08th, 2010 - 09:39 am 0
  • Forgetit87

    If Israel doesn't even recognize that it is wrong to steal Palestinian territory, something over which it has been repeatedly condemned even by the UN, then it will not give a Palestinians their independence. The only thing that is counterproductive to the peace talks is its insistence in colonizing Palestinian territory.

    And let's not forget that most countries in the world have already recognized Palestine as an independent nation. The overwhelming majority of Africa and Asia - and that includes states of importance such as China, India, Russia and South Africa - have already done that.

    Dec 08th, 2010 - 12:18 pm 0
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