TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Sweden has finally recognized a Palestinian state, reflecting international impatience to Israel that has occupied Palestine for almost half a century, especially in the West Bank, East Jerusalem and the Gaza Strip.
“There is a territory, a people and government,” said Foreign Minister Margot Walstorm as reported by The Huffington Post on Thursday.
The decision was welcomed by the Palestinian government. Hanan Ashrawi, a senior Palestinian official, considered the move as “a principled and courageous decision.”
"It is our hope that other E.U. member states and countries worldwide will follow Sweden's lead and recognize Palestine before the chances for a two-state solution are destroyed indefinitely," Ashrawi said.
Israel was quick to denounce Sweden’s decision. Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman described the move as "a miserable decision that strengthens the extremist elements and Palestinian rejectionism."
"It's a shame that the government of Sweden chose to take a declarative step that only causes harm," he said.
Israel said Palestine could only achieve independence through peace negotiations. Lieberman added that Sweden’s recognition could harm the negotiations. However, Palestine said Israel was not serious about the peace negotiations.
RINDU P. HESTYA | THE HUFFINGTON POST
