Israeli FM Condemns Swedish Recognition Of Palestine: ‘The Middle East Is More Complex Than IKEA Furniture’
Israeli Foreign Minister Avigdor Liberman issued a scathing attack against the government of Sweden today, following the Scandinavian country’s recent recognition of a Palestinian State, in Israel.
According to Liberman, the move is counter-productive and “deplorable,” claiming that the it would only undermine efforts for a lasting peace as opposed to promoting them.
In the statement, Liberman said.
“The decision of the Swedish government to recognize a Palestinian state is a deplorable decision which only strengthens extremist elements and Palestinian rejectionism, It is a shame that the Swedish government chose to take this declarative step which causes a lot of harm and offers no advantage.”
In addressing Stockholm’s left-winge government, Liberman added, “The Swedish government must understand that relations in the Middle East are a lot more complex than the self-assembly furniture of IKEA and that they have to act with responsibility and sensitivity.”
Meanwhile, Liberman’s counterpart in Sweden, Margot Wallstrom, told the Dagens Nyheter paper. “Today the government takes the decision to recognize the state of Palestine. It is an important step that confirms the Palestinians’ right to self-determination. We hope that this will show the way for others.”
Spokesperson for the Palestinians, Nabil Abu Rudeina toldAFP, “President [Mahmoud] Abbas welcomes Sweden’s decision. This decision comes as a response to Israeli measures in Jerusalem,” he said.
Redeina also spoke in Abbas’ name, saying, “All countries of the world that are still hesitant to recognize our right to an independent Palestinian state based on 1967 borders, with east Jerusalem as its capital, (should) follow Sweden’s lead.”
While other countries, such as Bulgaria, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Malta, Poland and Romania. have followed suit with Sweden and recognized a Palestinian State despite the fact that the reality on the ground proves that Palestinians aren’t yet ready or prepared for statehood, The United States warned Sweden against the recognition, calling it “premature” ahead of a properly negotiated solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
