EU Joins Diplomatic Wrangle on Palestinian Statehood
The European Union on Saturday called for a "constructive solution" on the issue of Palestinian statehood and a resumption of negotiations with Israel.
"We continue to believe that a constructive solution that can gather as much support as possible and allows for the resumption of negotiations is the best and only way to deliver the peace and two state solution the Palestinian people want," said Jaja Cocijanic, spokeswoman for EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton.
The EU jointed the diplomatic tussle after Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas promised Palestinians he will seek U.N. membership before the Security Council next week.
With Washington calling the move "counterproductive," Abbas told Palestinians in a televised address on Friday: "It is our legitimate right to demand the full membership of the state of Palestine in the U.N."
Yossi Peled, a Likud party minister without portfolio in the government of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, told public radio on Saturday Israel could not prevent the Palestinian U.N. recourse.
"Unfortunately, Israel does not have the means to prevent the Palestinians from demanding adhesion of their state to the U.N., and it is impossible to stop them," he said.
"But the initiative will no doubt not get through the Security Council, and will leave us room to negotiate," he said, adding that only direct talks will result in the solution of two states for two peoples.
Washington has already threatened to veto the Palestinian bid in the Security Council.
Source: Agence France Presse
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