Politics

ينبغي اعتراف الاتحاد الأوروبي بالدولة الفلسطينية

Dec 20, 2017 Javier Solana

مدريد - مرة أخرى، اتخذ الرئيس الأمريكي دونالد ترامب نهجا انفراديا للسياسة الخارجية - هذه المرة، من خلال الاعتراف بالقدس عاصمة لإسرائيل. وقام ترامب مجددا بتحريف واقع الشرق الأوسط. ونظرا لأن تصرفه الأخير - الذي نسف أكثر من 70 عاما من الإجماع الدولي - قد يعجل بتدهور سريع في المنطقة، أضحى تدخل الاتحاد الأوروبي ضروريا.

ترتكز سياسة ترامب في الشرق الأوسط على تحالف نشط بين الولايات المتحدة والمملكة العربية السعودية. قام كل رئيس أمريكي منذ الرئيس جون كينيدي بأول زيارة خارجية له سواء إلى المكسيك أو كندا أو أوروبا. ما عدى ترامب. فقد توجه مباشرة إلى الرياض، حيث شارك في قمة مع 54 دولة ذات أغلبية مسلمة وألقى خطابا تحريضيا يهدد إيران من خلاله، حيث أكد أنه على المجتمع الدولي تجنبها.

بعد زيارته للمملكة العربية السعودية، قام ترامب بزيارة إسرائيل، حيث أطلق وابلا آخر من الخطاب المناهض لإيران. لا توجد بين السعودية وإسرائيل علاقات دبلوماسية لكنهما حليفان لأميركا ولهما خصم: إيران. وفي نوفمبر/ تشرين الثاني، أعرب قائد جيش الدفاع الإسرائيلي، الملازم الجنرال غادي إيسنكوت، عن انفتاحه بشأن تبادل المعلومات الاستخباراتية مع السعودية لمواجهة إيران. وقال ايسنكوت للصحافيين السعوديين "بصحبة الرئيس ترامب"، إن "هناك فرصة لبناء ائتلاف دولي جديد في المنطقة".

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0 Comments on this paragraph, 17 Comments on this article

Robert Barzelay Apr 1, 2018

For this mythical 'two-state solution', with whom should Israel negotiate? Abdullah Azzam Brigades, Abu Ali Mustapha Brigades, Abu Nidal Organization, Al-Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades, Al-Najjada, Al-Nasser Salah al-Deen Brigades, Al-Quds Brigades, Alliance of Palestinian Forces, Arab Liberation Front, Army of Islam (Gaza Strip), As-Sa'iqa, Black September Organization, Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine, Fatah, Fatah al-Intifada, Fatah al-Islam, Fatah Hawks, Force 14, Galilee Forces, Hamas, Holy Jihad Brigades, Islamic Jihad Movement in Palestine, Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades, Jaljalat, Jund Ansar Allah, Liwa al-Quds, Mujahideen Shura Jerusalem, Palestine Liberation Army, Palestine Liberation Front, Palestinian Freedom Movement, Palestinian Liberation Front (Abu Nidal Ashqar wing), Palestinian National and Islamic Forces, Palestinian Popular Struggle Front, Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, Popular Resistance Committees, Swords of Truth, Tanzim, Tawhid al-Jihad? Even the dumbest simpleton knows that their aim ain't peace, to the contrary.

A two-state solution may indeed be a solution, but to be able to do so the Palestinian side must recognize Israel's existence and abolish their goal to destroy Israel and annihilate all Jews, as stated in their charters and repeated in speech after speech. Moreover, those ideas of Abbas demanding a Judenrein Palestine and flooding Israel with 8 million descendants and distant relatives of 'Palestinian refugees' are other sticking points. What would be the logic to 'negotiate' a deal with people whose aim is it to annihilate you?

Last, but not least: In fact, Palestinian leaders don't want a State. Especially not President Abbas, elected 13 years ago for a 4-year period. He wants continuance of his lifestyle in his vast villas, private plane & armored cars, the millions from gullible donors, standing ovations & hugs from antisemites, and the thrills of having another Jew murdered by a brainwashed terrorist.
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Cary Fraser Dec 28, 2017

It's an unfortunate reality that the European-engineered dismemberment of the Ottoman empire created an unfortunate illusion that the Europeans and, later the Americans, could resolve the problems they created in the region over the past century. The Europeans and the Americans - originating in Christian countries, the Muslims of various persuasions, and the Jews drawn from a multiplicity of traditions, all subscribe to some version of monotheism and espouse claims to the "Holy Land." It is difficult to believe - given the history of the region since World War I - that any of these protagonists are endowed with the wisdom and patience to craft a viable strategy for institutionalizing the sophisticated ecumenical politics required to create viable political entities in the region.
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David Neunuebel Dec 25, 2017

The author states, “The two-state solution – which would allow Israel to retain its Jewish and democratic character...” seems astoindginly ignorant of the Palestinians citizens of Israel living in what the author might consider the Israeli state. These Palestinians are second class citizens discriminated against in every way and would hardly benefit from the authors prescription here.
- Robert Barzelay Apr 1, 2018
  
  What a baloney. First of all, Israel has no Palestinian citizens. 21% of Israel's citizens are Israeli Arabs, and happy to be so, instead of having to live under a despotic Palestinian leadership, headed by a corrupt President who was 'elected' 13 years ago for a 4-year period. But foremost, Israeli Arabs have the same rights as Israeli Jews. Israel has Arab judges, MPs, physicians (my family doctor is one), nurses, businessmen, policemen, lawyers, political parties, and so much more. Israel has all the freedoms for all its citizens as in any western democracy. Not the same can be said about the 22 Aran countries and Iran. Get educated instead of parroting dumb propaganda.
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Jaap Bosma Dec 25, 2017

Recognition of the state of Palestine and of Eas-Jerusalem as its capital is just a first step.
The ultimate goal is equal rights for Jews and Palestinians in the Holy Land. Right now Israel is the coloniser, the ethnic cleanser, the occupier, the Apartheid-regime. This should change.
The EU should boycot Israel untill it recognises the equal rights of Palestinians, just like Apartheid in South Africa was ended
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Andrew (Andy) Crow Dec 25, 2017

King Solomon's wisdom would threaten the razing of Jerusalem to ground level.
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STEPHEN LOUIE Dec 24, 2017

If the EU were to recognize a Palestine state, Israel would be completely justified in the all out invasion and destruction of it. What sovereign country would tolerate attacks by another ? At present, the palestinians are merely terrorists. Make them a state and it's conventional war. Mr Solana speaks much, but says little.
- Andrew (Andy) Crow Dec 25, 2017
  
  That may be realpolitik, but but there's not much justice in it.
  
  Palestinians are terrorists like the Saxons were terrorists in Norman Britain.
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j. von Hettlingen Dec 23, 2017

Javier Solana is urging the EU to take the lead and recognise the Palestinian state and salvage the two-state solution. He says "there is no time to lose," since the "point of no return is inching closer with each passing day." Indeed, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict has been ongoing for decades. In recent years Israel has shifted to the right, and settlements on occupied Palestinian land are increasing. Emboldened by Trump, far-right settlers have stepped up their illegal construction acitivities, which further deteriorate the conflict.
What aggravates the conflict are Israeli settlements in East Jerusalem, undermining the possibility of a two-state solution. And Trump's recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital could be the final nail in the coffin for the peace talks. Trump's "unilateral approach" has violated the 1993 Oslo accords, which maintain that the future of Jerusalem, like that of the West Bank, should be decided through negotiation. Palestinians see East Jerusalem as the capital of their future state, and claim access to the Al-Aqsa mosque, the third most sacred site in Islam. Israel proclaims the entire city as its capital.
In the past Netanyahu gave lip service to a Palestinian state, taking advantage of infighting among Palestinians. Jared Kushner who is a personal friend of Netanyahu, has been currying favour with the young Saudi Crown Prince, Mohammed bin Salman (MBS), forging an unholy alliance between Israel and Saudi Arabia, in an effort to counter Iran's influence in the region.
In his quest for recognition MBS has embarked on geopolitical adventures and clashed with Iran. He made grave mistakes, like launching a disastrous war in Yemen and "severing ties with Qatar" that has a good relationship with Iran. He and Kushner probably thought that a sellout of the Palestinians might encourage Israel to wage a war against Iran or the Tehran-backed militia, the Hezbollah.
Despite Saudi Arabia's inclination to gang up on Iran together with Israel, Riyadh can not "distance itself from the Palestinian cause and allow other countries like Turkey and even Iran to carry the banner." The Muslim consensus in support of the Palestinian state was unanimous, as demonstrated at the Orgianisation of Islamic Cooperation summit in Instanbul on December 14. Over 50 leaders - including the Saudi King Salman and the Iranian president, Hassan Rouhani - declared East Jerusalem as the capital of Palestine, calling Trump's stance as "dangerous" and urging the international community to follow suit. On December 21 the UN general assembly voted overwhelmingly to denounce Trump’s recognition move, ignoring his threats to cut off aid to any country that voted against him.
Alhough Trump "has not ruled out the two-state solution," given his close relationship with Netanyahu, the Palestinian president, Mahmoud Abbas, has said that he would “no longer accept” any peace plan proposed by Trump, who he said dishonest. Instead he called on France and Europe to play a stronger role in peace efforts between Israel and the Palestinians, during his visit to Paris a day after the UN vote. At a joint press conference Emmanuel Macron repeated his earlier condemnations of the US decision on Jerusalem, but he also ruled out recognising Palestine as a state unilaterally, being wary of antagonising Israel.
Abbas visited Paris less than a fortnight after Benjamin Netanyahu's trip to France. Observers were speculating whether Macron might be tempted to mediate in the world’s most intractable conflict. In January his predecessor, François Hollande held a summit in Paris, aimed at kick-starting peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians. Neither side was invited to the day-long summit attended by 70 nations, but they were were invited to hear the conclusions. Macron has ruled out any "fresh French initiative, insisting that the American effort must run its course first."
It remains to be seen how committed the EU is to save the two-state solution and "get the Israelis and the Palestinians to return to the negotiating table." The recognition by "over 70% of UN member states" of the the State of Palestine is an easier thing to do. Yet it is more difficult to get Israel and Palestinians to agree on making concessions in line with the Arab Peace Initiative, which "stipulates that the Arab League would recognize Israel if it were to retreat into its pre-1967 borders, though an alternative, more gradual approach could be considered."
Of course the two-state solution – "which would allow Israel to retain its Jewish and democratic character, and should guarantee the viability of the Palestinian state" – is the best option for Israel, because a one-state solution would mean one united Israel where Palestinians and Israelis would be citizens on equal footing. This will not happen because Israelis fear losing their Jewish state, while Palestinians do not want to become second-class citizens.
- Thomas Haeringer Dec 24, 2017
  
  Imagine, the next step will be a Marshall plan for the Westbank, which by the way is legally in the borders of 1967 a part of Jordan. Imagine Israel will be asked (as a price for the recognition of Jerusalem), to build up a water infrastructure also on the Westbank, since the water supply by Israel to Jordan is already reality. Imagine there will be no discrimination of jewish voters in referendum for the independence of the Westbank from . . . Jordan ! Why on earth, retired European Politicians demand Jew-clean Westbank together with Organisations on the Westbank and the Gazastrip, which did newer recognise the existence of Israel? This recognition is the first condition! The right of jews and christians to live near to their holy sites is another. This will be the recognition of true values of tolerance.
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jagjeet sinha Dec 21, 2017

BRAVADO or BLUSTER
10 June 1999 is the day Perestroika ended.
At the instigation of Messrs Javier Solana and Joschka Fischer, Clinton bombed.
Trump however is not Clinton - and Gaza is not Kosovo.
The confrontation with Russia that began on 10 June 1999 was a direct result.
Consequences of Kosovo was deflected towards Clinton's America.
Not Europe - although the instigation was primarily European.
Solana is again instigating actions without regard for consequences.
Trump however is not Clinton - Europe will have to face consequences.
Merkel and Juncker have signalled Europe's Independence in Security.
Poland knows if EU has the capacity for Security Guarantees.
Ex Secretary General of NATO is voicing remarkable bravado.
Should the bravado turn out to be bluster - Poland not Spain pays.
Maybe that's why Solana has spoken.
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Rab Dolan Dec 20, 2017

This is laughable - any viable two state solution has been dead for years, due to unrestrained Israeli land-grabbing. The only possible solution now is: one state with equal rights for all.
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Bernhard Kopp Dec 20, 2017

'Must recognise' sounds like an 'ordre de mufti'. It will not fly. Mr. Solana: the Franco Dictatorship is history, and the EU is, albeit not democratically legitimate in any agreeable manner, not yet a 'Dictatorship of Unelected and Unaccountable Eurocrats'. This despite your long-term service towards such a goal. It is almost impossible that an EU/and member states, that have for many years, and in substantial amounts, indirectly sponsored terrorism against Israel with its financial support to the palestinian Arabs ( bonuses to terrorists and pensions to families of killed or jailed terrorists) would be an agreeable arbiter to the Israelis. The two-state solution has been a schimera at least since the palestinian Arabs, with their Hamas, have wrecked Gaza and used it as a launching pad for rockets, or tunnels, into Israel. All paid for by either Qatar and at least some contributions from the EU.
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stephan Edwards Dec 20, 2017

Mr Solana recognizing a palestinian state would change a single fact on the ground how???? Unless of course you are prepared to send armies into battle with the Israeli's.
The Palestinian's are an occupied and disenfranchised people. If the EU recognizes a Palestinian state (and they won't). The Israelis would merely take away what autonomy they do have. And there would be a single thing Europe could do but prattle. And your precious 70 years of international consensus has accomplished what??? Nothing that's what. The Arabs lost the war all the proclaiming by Europe or the Arabs or the UN or anyone in the world is going to change a single fact on the ground unless the Israeli's are willing to change the facts on the ground and they are NOT. The only thing deader then the 2 State solution are the Republic of South Vietnam and the Confederate States of America. For all of the philosophers prattle that war changes nothing the reality is more decisions involving national borders are ratified on the battlefield then anywhere else. The Arabs LOST in 1967 they should probably get over the DELUSION the Israeli's are EVER going to hand over any part of Jerusalem They aren't. Has for the pitiful joke known has International Law.... A saying over 2000 years old goes "Inter Armes Silent Leges" which roughly translated means " Enter Arms Silent Laws". That hasn't changed.
I don't like Trump didn't vote for him but all he did was recognize the facts on the ground that your 70 years of "International Consensus" Hasn't changed a single inch and isn't going to. All that will happen if the EU or Europe recognize a Palestinian state is the will move to directly occupy Gaza and the West Bank. Unless of course Europe is willing to commit troops to defend Corrupt dictator's such has Abbas or Terrorists such has Hamas. Nothing like defending Dictators and terrorists who pay Suicide Bombers and fire rockets at civilians. If that is what the EU stands for? Good Luck your gonna need it.
- Bernhard Kopp Dec 21, 2017
  
  You are probably aware that it was the Arab nations of the Middle East, all of them, who attempted to destroy Israel in 1948/49 and again in 1967, who were fiercely opposed to recognising a Palestinian nation, or a Palestinian state on the territory. They could have had a Palestinian State in 1949 if they ever wanted one. Up to this date they use, abuse and instrumentalise the palestinian Arabs as they seem fit, against Israel or otherwise. The Two-State-Solution is a corpse in an open coffin waiting to be buried.
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