lpetrich
Contributor
That Arab state in Israel-occupied territory. International recognition of the State of Palestine, Map: The countries that recognize Palestine as a state - The Washington Post
Most of the countries that have recognized Palestine are relatively poor ones: all except the US, Canada, western Europe, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, and South Korea. There are some exceptions among the relatively poor ones, exceptions like Mexico, Colombia, Cameroon, and Myanmar.
But that is starting to change. Three years ago, Iceland became the first western European nation to recognize Palestine, and last October 30, Sweden became the second.
Palestine recognised as a state 'in principle' by European Parliament in symbolic vote - Middle East - World - The Independent
Its resolution:
This is happening because Israel-Palestine negotiations continue to be stalled, with Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu and his government being very stubborn. Some prominent officials in it refuse to consider the possibility of accepting a two-state solution.
But if peace talks continue to drag on, other European nations and the EU itself may become impatient and start to recognize Palestine.
Most of the countries that have recognized Palestine are relatively poor ones: all except the US, Canada, western Europe, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, and South Korea. There are some exceptions among the relatively poor ones, exceptions like Mexico, Colombia, Cameroon, and Myanmar.
But that is starting to change. Three years ago, Iceland became the first western European nation to recognize Palestine, and last October 30, Sweden became the second.
The parliaments of France, Ireland, Portugal, Spain, and the United Kingdom have passed non-binding resolutions calling on their governments to recognize Palestine.Sweden's Foreign Minister Margot Wallstrom said her government's decision was aimed at supporting the Palestinian Authority and its beleaguered President Mahmoud Abbas, particularly given the present tensions in Jerusalem. "It is important to support those who believe in negotiations and not violence," she told Al Jazeera. "This will give hope to young Palestinians and Israelis that there is an alternative to violence."
Palestine recognised as a state 'in principle' by European Parliament in symbolic vote - Middle East - World - The Independent
Its resolution:
Center-left and left-wing parties wanted Palestine recognized without conditions, while others wanted Palestine recognized only as part of a peace agreement with Israel. Thus, the compromise wording of that resolution.[We] support in principle recognition of Palestinian statehood and the two-state solution, and believes these should go hand in hand with the development of peace talks, which should be advanced.
This is happening because Israel-Palestine negotiations continue to be stalled, with Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu and his government being very stubborn. Some prominent officials in it refuse to consider the possibility of accepting a two-state solution.
But if peace talks continue to drag on, other European nations and the EU itself may become impatient and start to recognize Palestine.