"By recognising the state of Palestine, Europe and its Member States would be sending a clear and strong message that international law takes precedence over any other consideration” FIDH President Karim Lahidji declared. “The recognition of Palestine is crucial in that it would signify that the European Union no longer accepts the lack of results and refuses to condone the stalemate of the negotiations based on the two-state solution, which the Europeans have favoured for decades”, he added.
The European Union has constantly repeated that the conflict between Israel and Palestine can only be solved by a two-state solution negotiated in accordance with the principles of international law. A sustainable solution requires that the rights and legitimate demands of the Palestinians and Israelis to self-determination and security be guaranteed. A two-state solution requires mutual recognition and the will to coexist peacefully.
In the present context of ongoing Human Rights abuses, the approach must imperatively respect international legality. Recognition of the Palestinian state would contribute to the fight for justice and accountability for the international crimes committed in the Occupied Palestinian Territory.
In 2012, the UN General Assembly adopted a resolution recognising Palestine as a non-member Observer state by 138 votes in favour, including those of various European states. That historic decision was a response to the Palestinians’ decades of fighting for their right to self-determination.
Sweden has recently become the 135th State to recognise Palestine. Several parliaments of European Union Member States such as the British Parliament and recently the French National Assembly have also passed non-binding resolutions encouraging their governments to move promptly towards recognition.