RAMALLAH, December 21, 2011 (WAFA) – Head of the Swedish Social Democratic Workers' Party, Håkan Juholt, Wednesday called in a press release on the Swedish government to recognize a Palestinian state in response for the recent Israeli decision to build 1,000 housing units in East Jerusalem settlements.

“It is time for Sweden and the European Union to work to recognize Palestine; otherwise we will be allowing Israel, the occupying power, to eliminate all possibilities to reach a two-state solution in the future,” said Juholt.

“The Swedish Social Democratic party believes that Sweden must recognize a Palestinian state,” he added.

He called for a session for the Swedish Advisory Council on Foreign Affairs to clarify the official Swedish position regarding the recognition of a Palestinian state and to decide on Sweden’s formal position from a future Palestinian application to statehood membership in the United Nations.

Juholt also strongly criticized Sweden’s vote against the Palestinian membership in the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).

He added that Israel must face consequences for every settlement construction in the occupied Palestinian Territory.

R.Q./M.S.