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Thu, Dec 16, 2010 | CNN | Associated Press | Jerusalem Post

Senior Palestinian negotiator Nabil Sha'ath said some European countries have yet to recognize an independent Palestinian state. (AFP/Getty Images)

Palestinians Turn to Europe for Recognition of State

Following the breakdown of direct talks with Israel, Palestinians have begun seeking international recognition of an independent state from European nations, CNN reported on Thursday.

Officials from the Palestinian Authority told CNN Thursday that the governments of France, Britain, Sweden, and Denmark had formally been asked to recognize a Palestinian state based on borders that existed prior to the 1967 war between Israel and it Arab neighbors.

Senior Palestinian negotiator Nabil Sha’ath told CNN that the requests were part of an ongoing strategy to achieve statehood outside the framework of talks with Israel. “These were the last ones, but I have been asking all European countries to do the same,” Sha’ath said.

He said that while most countries in Africa and Asia had already recognized Palestine as an independent state many countries, including the United States and a number of European nations, did not. “We still have pockets which have not done so — we are pursuing each of them” Sha’ath said.

Earlier this week the European Union ruled out recognizing an independent Palestinian state for now, fearing a unilateral declaration might adversely impact efforts to get the Middle East peace process back on track.

“The EU commends the work of the Palestinian Authority in building the institutions of the future State of Palestine and reiterates its full support for their endeavours” read a statement released Monday in Brussels by the 27 EU foreign ministers. “… the Council reiterates its readiness, when appropriate, to recognize a Palestinian state.”

The statement was released the day after the top Palestinian negotiator, Saeb Erakat, sent a letter to EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton, urging the body to back Palestinian Authority attempts to gain international recognition of a sovereign state. [CNN; Dec 16, 2010]

(Read more here).

However, the Associated Press reported that officials from two of the countries said Nabil Sha’ath made no formal request. One said he merely praised other countries who had taken the step. All officials spoke on condition on anonymity under diplomatic protocol.

Brazil and Argentina, minor players in the Middle East, recently recognized Palestine as other countries in the Arab world and Africa have done. Several European countries have upgraded diplomatic relations with the Palestinians, but it is unclear how far the international community will go. The United States and the European Union have not recognized an independent Palestinian state, saying peace can only be reached through negotiations.

Israeli Foreign Ministry spokesman Yigal Palmor rejected the Palestinian attempts to seek unilateral recognition, saying peace can only be reached through negotiations. “Turning your back on dialogue is turning your back on peace,” he said.

Abbas says he prefers a negotiated settlement, but he has been pursuing alternatives with increasing vigor. The Palestinians say they doubt they can reach a peace deal with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who leads a coalition of hardline nationalist and religious parties. Palestinian officials had previously talked of seeking U.N. recognition of a state inside the 1967 lines. While they could presumably win a majority in the General Assembly, the bigger prize of recognition by the Security Council, whose decisions are legally binding, would likely face a U.S. veto. [AP; Dec 16, 2010]

(Read more here).

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu and the seven member ministerial forum known as the ‘Septet’ were set to meet Thursday morning to discuss the return to indirect proximity peace talks between Israel and the PA proposed by US Middle East envoy George Mitchell.

According to an AFP report published Wednesday, Mitchell said that he intended to pursue “substantive” negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians. [JPost; Dec 16, 2010]

(Read more here).