In letters to the leaders of Argentina, Brazil, and Uruguay, B’nai B’rith International said their decisions to “prematurely recognize a Palestinian state” is appalling.The letters are a response to the three Latin American nations declaring separately they would recognize what was described as a “free and independent” Palestine, using 1967 borders.
In the letters, B’nai B’rith International President Dennis W. Glick and Executive Vice President Daniel S. Mariaschin stressed that a Palestinian state can only be created through negotiations between Israel and Palestinian representatives.
The letter noted: “Unilateral recognition of Palestinian statehood discourages the Palestinian side from engaging in meaningful negotiations, as it provides false hope that resolution of all of the complicated final status issues will simply be imposed on Israel by the international community. The Palestinian Authority’s requests for unilateral recognition of a Palestinian state also have the consequence of severely undermining the trust of the Israeli public that the Palestinian side is serious about negotiating a settlement.”
B’nai B’rith International stresses in the letters to Argentine President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner, Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, and Uruguayan President José Mujica, such a declaration by outside parties will only create deeper divisions in the peace process as the primary players are pushed to the sides. “For this reason, the past agreements between Israel and the Palestinian Authority proscribe unilateral actions on final-status issues that would bypass negotiations.”
B’nai B’rith supports direct negotiations as the only option for a successful outcome to the peace process.
The letters conclude, “We implore your government to reverse course on this matter, and insist that the Palestinian Authority end its obstructionism and return to the peace process. Only when Palestinian authorities and Israel have agreed upon a compromise can we seriously expect a two-state solution to be effectuated.”
In the letters, B’nai B’rith International President Dennis W. Glick and Executive Vice President Daniel S. Mariaschin stressed that a Palestinian state can only be created through negotiations between Israel and Palestinian representatives.
The letter noted: “Unilateral recognition of Palestinian statehood discourages the Palestinian side from engaging in meaningful negotiations, as it provides false hope that resolution of all of the complicated final status issues will simply be imposed on Israel by the international community. The Palestinian Authority’s requests for unilateral recognition of a Palestinian state also have the consequence of severely undermining the trust of the Israeli public that the Palestinian side is serious about negotiating a settlement.”
B’nai B’rith International stresses in the letters to Argentine President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner, Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, and Uruguayan President José Mujica, such a declaration by outside parties will only create deeper divisions in the peace process as the primary players are pushed to the sides. “For this reason, the past agreements between Israel and the Palestinian Authority proscribe unilateral actions on final-status issues that would bypass negotiations.”
B’nai B’rith supports direct negotiations as the only option for a successful outcome to the peace process.
The letters conclude, “We implore your government to reverse course on this matter, and insist that the Palestinian Authority end its obstructionism and return to the peace process. Only when Palestinian authorities and Israel have agreed upon a compromise can we seriously expect a two-state solution to be effectuated.”
