_a.jpg "צילום: רון פלד")
Old City
Photo: Ron Peled
Swedish Foreign Minister Carl Bildt
Photo: AFP
EJC: Sweden’s call for divided Jerusalem 'impediment to peace'
'After Israel’s recent moves it is time for the EU to push the Palestinians back to the negotiation table,' EJC President Kantor says
The European Jewish Congress (EJC) on Tuesday reacted with "alarm and extreme concern" over reports that the Swedish Presidency of the European Union is leading calls for the division of Jerusalem and supports a unilaterally declared Palestinian state.
Moshe Kantor, president of the EJC, said potentially such a move could become “an impediment to peace”
According to reports, European Union foreign ministers are expected to officially call next week for Jerusalem to be divided to serve as the capitals of both Israel and a Palestinian state. A draft document authored by Sweden, the current holder of the rotating EU presidency, implies that the EU would recognize a unilateral Palestinian declaration of statehood.
The EJC expressed "great disappointment with Sweden for harming the prospect of a return to negotiations."
“Such a unilateral move, supported by the EU, can potentially encourage unilateral moves by Israel,” Kantor said. “This is something which could have a far reaching negative effect and is obviously in no one’s interest. Supporting unilateral moves by the Palestinians is against the spirit and letter of the peace process.
The EJC president added, “Israel has taken significant steps towards the renewal of talks by its actions, including freezing the settlements, and it is time to push the Palestinians back to the negotiation table, not in the opposite direction. Peace can only be achieved by negotiations between the two parties.”
