EU should back Palestinian bid for UN recognition
by Poul Nyrup Rasmussen
20 September 2011
Europe supported Libya and Egypt, now is the time to support the Palestinians at the United Nations
Last week, an extremely positive moment occurred when leader of the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats Group in the European Parliament Martin Schulz and I supported the Palestinian bid for recognition in the United Nations. Following the momentous changes that have occurred in the region since the beginning of the year, it is reasonable that Palestinian demands for UN recognition are met.
We would do well to remember that history is likely to judge such a course of action as the only sensible direction to take. In the EP and the European Council, lengthy debates on this issue were held - with divisions between the Socialists and Conservatives. We repeated, time and time again, our request for the European Union to have a single voice in supporting the Palestinian bid. The Socialists also have a single voice in saying that it is a litmus test to our credibility as a broker for peace. Europe supported Libya, Europe supported Egypt, now is the time to support the Palestinians.
In the coming days, this matter will come before the UN. This matter has been the subject of much speculation in the past weeks and months. It has meant the Palestinian Authority President Mahmud Abbes travelling throughout the world to try and garner support. All of this follows on from the success of the two-year state-building plan of Prime Minister Salam Fayyad, which was supported and endorsed by the EU and other international actors.
I would like to congratulate the High Representative Catherine Ashton on her leadership so far in trying to bring the 27 member states together in one common voice and for pushing the need for the Quartet, and not just the US, to be leading negotiations. Baroness Ashton would, though, be in a much better position if all member states followed the PES and the S&D Group by supporting the bid for recognition in the UN. Serious and unobstructed peace talks must be resumed, to bring lasting peace and security to the Israelis and Palestinians.
These talks must be resumed for a two-state solution based on the pre-1967 borders with Jerusalem, as the capital of both states. This is what the Palestinian bid for recognition is seeking to do, and this is why we as Europeans, socialists and fervent believers in democracy must pledge our support.
Poul Nyrup Rasmussen is president of the Party of European Socialists
Last week, an extremely positive moment occurred when leader of the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats Group in the European Parliament Martin Schulz and I supported the Palestinian bid for recognition in the United Nations. Following the momentous changes that have occurred in the region since the beginning of the year, it is reasonable that Palestinian demands for UN recognition are met.
We would do well to remember that history is likely to judge such a course of action as the only sensible direction to take. In the EP and the European Council, lengthy debates on this issue were held - with divisions between the Socialists and Conservatives. We repeated, time and time again, our request for the European Union to have a single voice in supporting the Palestinian bid. The Socialists also have a single voice in saying that it is a litmus test to our credibility as a broker for peace. Europe supported Libya, Europe supported Egypt, now is the time to support the Palestinians.
In the coming days, this matter will come before the UN. This matter has been the subject of much speculation in the past weeks and months. It has meant the Palestinian Authority President Mahmud Abbes travelling throughout the world to try and garner support. All of this follows on from the success of the two-year state-building plan of Prime Minister Salam Fayyad, which was supported and endorsed by the EU and other international actors.
I would like to congratulate the High Representative Catherine Ashton on her leadership so far in trying to bring the 27 member states together in one common voice and for pushing the need for the Quartet, and not just the US, to be leading negotiations. Baroness Ashton would, though, be in a much better position if all member states followed the PES and the S&D Group by supporting the bid for recognition in the UN. Serious and unobstructed peace talks must be resumed, to bring lasting peace and security to the Israelis and Palestinians.
These talks must be resumed for a two-state solution based on the pre-1967 borders with Jerusalem, as the capital of both states. This is what the Palestinian bid for recognition is seeking to do, and this is why we as Europeans, socialists and fervent believers in democracy must pledge our support.
Poul Nyrup Rasmussen is president of the Party of European Socialists
COMMENTS
I do not agree with this opinion. One of the main problems with the Palestinian state is that it leaves Israel with indefensible borders and, therefore, even more vulnerable to rocket attacks and incursions. I am not saying that the Palestinians cannot have a state of their own, but that this should be the fruit of direct Palestine-Israel talks - and not the political arm twist that UN recognition will facilitate.
Aritra - India
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