Distinction in travel journalism
Is independent travel journalism important to you?
Click here to keep it independent

21 Dec, 2014

More European Groups Call for Formal Recognition of Palestine

STRASBOURG, December 18, 2014 (WAFA) – In yet another supportive gesture in favor of the Palestinian statehood bid, the European United Left/Nordic Green Left European Parliamentary Group (GUE/NGL MEPS) called on member states to formally recognize a Palestinian state on the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital.

The group welcomed the European Parliament call for recognition of Palestinian statehood despite the text’s shortcomings.

In a press release published on Wednesday, the group emphasized their support of the joint resolution as a “principled step in the right direction,” said Irish MEP Martina Anderson.

The Chair of Parliament’s Delegation for Relations with the Palestine Legislative Council said ‘This is a huge step forward for the global struggle against Israel’s occupation and oppression of the Palestinian people.’

She described the recognition as a “long-overdue international obligation”. Meanwhile, Cypriot MEP Neoklis Sylikiotis said: ‘The Palestinian people’s right to self-determination has been enshrined in international resolutions for 66 years.”

The group believes that the recognition is not a foreign move considering its deep roots within the United Nations Resolutions. Sylikiotis called on all sides engaged in the conflict to avoid actions that might undermine the viability and the prospects of the two-state solution, such as the expansion of settlements, the apartheid wall and attacks on holy sites and Palestinian property.

Meanwhile, French MEP Patrick Le Hyaric pointed out ‘Recognizing Palestine is in the interests of the Israeli citizens too. The Israeli onslaught in Gaza this summer highlighted that more and more people around the world are against Israel’s occupation – adopting this resolution brings us one step further towards the goal of ending it.’

Several EU national Parliaments have already called on their governments to recognize Palestine, including the United Kingdom, France, Ireland, Portugal, Luxembourg and Belgium. Meanwhile, Sweden took it a step further and officially recognized the State of Palestine making it one of the first European countries to do so.