Israeli leftists urge Europe to recognize Palestine

Prominent Israeli leftists sign letter urging European leaders to vote in favor of Palestinian statehood at UN; ex-Knesset Speaker Burg: Israel, Palestinians need responsible adult to save them

Ronen Medzini|Published: 05.27.11 , 00:28

More than 20 Israeli leftists, including public figures, academicians and authors, recently signed a letter urging European leaders to recognize Palestinian statehood, Ynet has learned.

The letter has been initiated by the Solidarity movement, which says that signatories include former Knesset Speaker Avraham Burg, former Foreign Ministry Director General Alon Liel, and former Ambassador to South Africa Ilan Baruch.

The academicians who signed the letter include Nobel laureate Professor aniel Kahneman and Israel Prize Winner Professor Avishai Margalit. Authors Nir Bar'am and Ronit Matalon also signed the petition.

Leftists want Europe to support UN vote (Photo: AFP)

Given the mutual suspicions between the sides and current foot-dragging, a Palestinian declaration of independence is not just a right, but also a positive, constructive step in favor of both peoples, the signatories say.

The petitioners say that as Israeli citizens they will support a Palestinian declaration of statehood based on the 1967 lines, with agreed-upon territorial swaps. The Gaza Strip, as long as it is ruled by a Palestinian leadership that recognizes Israel's existence, will also be recognized as part of Palestine, the letter says.

The signatories then urge the states of the world to declare their willingness to recognize an independent Palestinian state based on the above principles.

'Concerned about apartheid'

Dr. Alon Liel, who signed the letter, told Ynet why he decided to endorse the move.

"I'm still one of those who think and dream that it's important to have a Palestinian state, even though this is not feasible in the foreseeable future," he said. "I think that if there is no vote in September on recognizing a Palestinian state, we shall find ourselves sliding even more rapidly into the slippery slope of a shared state, which I view as a true catastrophe."

"I am less concerned about violence and more concerned about apartheid," the former Foreign Ministry director general says. "I think we need to stir hope among those who are losing hope that a Palestinian state is still possible. Even if it won't be friendship, an unfriendly Palestinian state is preferable to having one state."

Former Knesset Speaker Burg told Ynet that at this time only one view prevails in Israel, with no alternatives.

"The settlers are scaring the prime minister and Hamas scares the Palestinian government. Hence, there are two states that need a responsible adult to save them, and it won't happen without external intervention," he said.

Members of the Solidarity organization will be sending a letter to top European ambassadors in Israel Friday, asking them to convey the message to their governments.