December 2nd, 2009 by Zack

Haaretz has obtained a draft statement on the Middle East peace process put together by Sweden, the nation currently holding the E.U. presidency.  The document calls for the division of Jerusalem between Israel and a Palestinian state and implies the E.U. would recognize a unilateral Palestinian declaration of statehood.  The European proposal does not recognize changes to pre-1967 borders, pledges economic support for a Palestinian state, promotes a continued settlement freeze, calls for Gaza to be reopened, asks “all Palestinians to promote reconciliation behind President Mahmoud Abbas,” and requests that all involved actors recommit to the peace process. 

Israeli opposition leader Tzipi Livni has condemned Sweden for its attempt to dictate the status of Jerusalem.  While defending Israel’s fear of a Palestinian state, Carlo Strenger writes on the irony that 61 years ago Israel’s independence was declared despite Arab opposition and that now the situation may reverse.  He argues that E.U. recognition and capital support could, in fact, reignite the peace process. 

Alex Fishman argues that Abbas’ position in the PA “must be saved” and he sees the settlement freeze as an Israeli lifeline to maintain Abbas as the chief Palestinian force within negotiations.  Mashe Arens shares that belief and goes further to claim that Palestine’s fractured leadership and demographics have pushed dreams of statehood further away than ever.

Posted in Diplomacy, EU, Israel, Mideast Peace Plan, Palestine, Reform |