Sweden makes ‘historic’ move to recognize Palestine state
Print Edition
SWEDEN yesterday officially recognized the state of Palestine, becoming the first major European country to do so, in a move hailed as “historic” by Palestinians but denounced by Israel.
“Today the government takes the decision to recognize the state of Palestine,” Swedish Foreign Minister Margot Wallstroem wrote in the mass-circulation Dagens Nyheter daily, less than a month after the country’s new prime minister announced plans to make the controversial move.
“It is an important step that confirms the Palestinians’ right to self-determination,” she said.
“We hope that this will show the way for others.”
Wallstroem told reporters at a briefing yesterday that “we are not picking sides. We’re choosing the side of the peace process.”
Sweden’s move came as Israeli-Palestinian rising tensions in Jerusalem following months of almost daily clashes in the city’s occupied eastern sector.
Palestinian President Mahmud Abbas immediately hailed Stockholm’s decision as “brave and historic” and called for others to follow suit.
“All countries of the world that are still hesitant to recognize our right to an independent Palestinian state based on 1967 borders, with east Jerusalem as its capital, (should) follow Sweden’s lead,” his spokesman quoted him as saying.
But Israeli Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman denounced the move, saying “relations in the Middle East are a lot more complex than the self-assembly furniture of IKEA.”
“The decision of the Swedish government to recognize a Palestinian state is a deplorable decision, which only strengthens extremist elements and Palestinian rejectionism,” he said in a statement.
Sweden’s Prime Minister Stefan Loefven announced in his inaugural address to parliament in early October that the country would be the first European Union member to recognize Palestine.
The United States cautioned Sweden against recognition, calling it “premature” and saying the Palestinian state could only come through a negotiated solution between Israelis and Palestinians.
Israel has said that Palestinians can have their promised state only through direct negotiations and not through other diplomatic channels.
The UN General Assembly in 2012 approved the recognition of Palestine as a non-member observer state.
Sweden’s announcement brings to 135 the number of countries that recognize Palestine. The US, EU and most of its member states do not.
Sweden’s foreign minister said yesterday that “the government considers that international law criteria for recognition of a Palestinian state have been fulfilled.”
Observers said it was too early to tell if the Swedish step would prompt other countries to make similar moves.
“It’s really hard to say how many countries will follow,” said Michael Schulz, an expert on the Middle East.
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