The good news is sympathy for the Israeli point of view in Europe is steadily eroding
During his visits to London and Paris, Benjamin Netanyahu did what he could to persuade Britain and France to oppose UN recognition of a unilaterally declared Palestinian state. His mission was also to try to isolate the incoming Palestinian unity government. In the two capitals, and on both counts, Netanyahu did not meet with much success. France expects Netanyahu to take the risk of peace, wanting to basically convince him that the status quo was untenable. London had more or less the same message.
The European Union is being positive about a unilateral Palestinian declaration of statehood and Palestinian unity efforts. French President Nicolas Sarkozy says he will support a unilateral declaration of Palestinian independence if peace talks with Israel don’t restart by September. In London, David Cameron agreed that a Palestinian caretaker government to be formed after reconciliation between Fatah and Hamas must meet international conditions, but was unconvinced that the accord threatened peace.
The position of these major EU powers deals a tough setback to Israel’s campaign to stop the UN from recognizing Palestinian independence with or without an agreement with Israel. Sympathy for the Israeli point of view in Europe is steadily eroding, suggesting Europe may be inching toward a watershed moment.
Categories: Israel