MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Chile could be next country to recognize Palestine with borders prior to 1967

President Sebastian Piñera

The decisions by the governments of Brazil and Argentina last week to recognize an independent Palestinian state with borders prior to the 1967 Six Day War has prompted criticism from the United States and intense lobbying in Santiago de Chile.

During a luncheon with parliamentarians President Sebastian Piñera said he was evaluating whether Chile would recognize Palestine.

Meanwhile, Uruguay has indicated that it will recognize a Palestine state next year.

Israel seized the West Bank, Gaza Strip, and East Jerusalem with its victory in the Six Day War in 1967.

The United Nations Resolution 242—drafted and adopted on Nov. 22, 1967—called for “a withdrawal of Israeli armed forces from territories occupied in the recent conflict.” Israel still controls these territories.

U.S. Under Secretary for Political Affairs, William J. Burns said, “the decisions in Brazil and Argentina were premature. Only after direct negotiations between Israel and Palestine will there be a solution.“

But the Argentine Foreign Ministry said in an e-mailed statement that the decision was to “definitively advance the negotiation process that will lead to the establishment of a just and lasting peace in the Middle East.”

Gabriel Zaliasnik, a representative of the Jewish community in Chile, contacted government authorities to discuss the issue.

”The only way to have a Palestinian state is with negotiation, therefore, any unilateral action by third countries undermines that process,” said Zaliasnik.

Next week, parliamentarians from Chile’s Arab community will request a meeting with Foreign Minister Moreno.

In mid November, Piñera declared his support for the creation of a Palestinian state at a speech at the Palestinian Club of Chile.
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By Dominique Farrell – Santiago Times