Israel Matzav: EU to recognize 'east' Jerusalem as 'Palestinian' capital

EU to recognize 'east' Jerusalem as 'Palestinian' capital

A document obtained by Haaretz and drafted by Sweden, the current EU President, says that the EU will call next week for Jerusalem to be divided and will recognize a unilateral declaration of 'statehood' by the 'Palestinians.'

Jerusalem is waging a diplomatic campaign to keep the EU from issuing such an endorsement, but diplomats close to the EU deliberations believe it is virtually inevitable.

EU foreign ministers are scheduled to meet on December 7 for a two-day meeting in Brussels on the peace process, after which a statement outlining the body's Mideast policy is expected.

The Swedish draft represents the first official EU articulation of a solution for one of the core issues of the final-status arrangement between Israel and the Palestinians.

The document expressed the EU's concern over the stalemate in the peace process and calls for the immediate renewal of negotiations between Israel and the Palestinian Authority in accordance with a prescribed timetable. The goal, it states, is "an independent, democratic, contiguous and viable state of Palestine, comprising the West Bank and Gaza and with East Jerusalem as its capital."

The draft refers directly to the situation in East Jerusalem, calling on "all parties to refrain from provocative actions" and stating the EU Council "has never recognized the annexation of East Jerusalem. If there is to be a genuine peace, a way must be found to resolve the status of Jerusalem as capital of two states. The Council calls for the reopening of Palestinian institutions in Jerusalem in accordance with the road map. It also calls on the Israeli government to cease all discriminatory treatment of Palestinians in East Jerusalem."

And for those of you wondering about our 'friends' in Europe, Haaretz reports that Britain and France are supporting Sweden, while Germany, Spain and Italy are 'disinclined' to side with Israel.

How's that 'settlement freeze' working out Bibi? A lot of good it's done, eh?

The picture is Swedish Foreign Minister Carl Bildt SR"Y (may the names of the wicked rot).

UPDATE 11:14 AM

The Foreign Ministry says the European position is nothing new.

"There is nothing new in the European position, but the process being led by Sweden damages the EU's capability of being a significant player in the mediations between Israel and the Palestinians."

The Foreign Ministry's response asserted, "Following significant steps taken by the Israeli government to allow for the renewal of talks between Israel and the Palestinians, Europe must put pressure on the Palestinians to return to the negotiating table. Moves such as the one spearheaded by Sweden have an opposite effect."

UPDATE 3:48 PM

More on the Foreign Ministry reaction:

However, as one Israeli diplomatic official pointed out, what is maddening from an Israeli view point is that the call for east Jerusalem to be the capital of an independent Palestinian state is not coupled with a call to recognize west Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.

"This disrupts the balance," the official said, adding that the resolution is being pushed forward by the Swedes, who hold the rotating presidency of the EU, without any prior coordination with Israel.

I could care less about the 'balance.' Jerusalem is and should remain a united city under Jewish control.

Israel Matzav: EU to recognize 'east' Jerusalem as 'Palestinian' capital