COPENHAGEN, June 28, 2011 (WAFA)- In an article published in Berlingske Danish newspaper on Sunday the Head of the Palestinian Mission to Denmark, Amro Al-Hourani, said “I call upon Danish politicians to support peace, freedom and the right of self-determination. A Palestinian State is the key to peace, stability and security in the Middle East. The Arab spring should also include a Palestinian spring.”
The number of countries that recognize the Palestinian state has exceeded one hundred around the world. Still Israel continues to delay the peace process and continue its occupation of the Palestinian Territory, Hourani said.
He said that with the continued oppression of the Palestinian people in Gaza and on the West bank, the debate is increasing in many countries including the EU. The issue of recognizing the Palestinian state is urgent. Eventually Denmark has to take a position. Particular in September when a recognition of a Palestinian state is taken to the UN General Assembly to be voted on.
He added that EU countries do not have a unified position concerning recognition of a Palestinian state, because the member countries of the EU have reservations about voting yes. Nevertheless, the differences between EU countries are not about the principle of establishing the Palestinian state because this principle is a fundamental part of the two-state solution which is strongly supported by the EU.
He said, 'As for the borders of this state the 1967 borders should not pose a problem for the EU, because these countries agree that the land taken by Israel a result of the 1967 war is occupied land that does not belong to Israel. So what are the considerations for a two-state solution?'
“Critics will raise objections stating that a recognition of a Palestinian state will not serve the peace process. To those we say that in September of this year we will be celebrating twenty years of negotiations without any results and without any solution to the conflict. Israel extends the development of settlements on occupied Palestinian land and dividing the Palestinian population. That is not a sign of peace,” Hourani added. “What will the Danish position be, will Denmark recognize the Palestinian state?”
He said that Denmark is a country recognized for acceptance of international laws and human rights including the right of all nationalities to live in freedom, dignity and self-determination in their homeland. Most Danish politicians have raced to support the Arab spring and the rights of the Arab people for freedom, dignity and self-determination. Denmark has helped and continues to help the Palestinian Authority to build the institutional requirements of a Palestinian state. Further progress is necessary and the next logical step for Denmark would be to recognize the Palestinian state also in order to strengthen Denmark’s reputation further.
A strong Israeli pressure is an obvious expectation and we will see supporters of continued Israeli occupation stating that the recognition of a Palestinian state will damage Israel's security. However, the most important guarantee for the security of Israel is to make peace with its neighbours. Keeping the conflict open will not help Israel’s security. The continued oppression of Palestinian people is also a threat to the security of Israel. By taking Palestinian land, freedom is in the long run a further threat to the peace process and the security of Israel, he said.
