The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) expressed disappointment with the decision by the government of Costa Rica to extend diplomatic relations to, and exchange embassies with the “State of Palestine.”
“We were surprised and deeply troubled by the decision by Costa Rica to establish diplomatic relations and to exchange embassies with a non-existent state of Palestine,” said Glen S. Lewy, ADL National Chair, and Abraham H. Foxman, ADL National Director. “This is a step taken only by a handful of countries in the world, and is out of step with the international community’s policy with regards to this subject.”
In a letter to Costa Rica’s Foreign Minister, Bruno Stagno Ugarte, the ADL leaders said that any recognition of a future Palestinian state should be dependent upon the outcome of mutual negotiations between Israel and the Palestinian Authority.
“Israel and the international community are committed to pursuing the establishment of an independent Palestinian state that would be the result of mutual negotiations between Israel and the Palestinian Authority. As part of such a negotiated settlement, it is expected that the Palestinian Authority would meet the requirements established by the international community to ensure the safety and security of Israeli citizens,” wrote Mr. Lewy and Mr. Foxman.
“Until such an agreement is reached, establishing relations with ‘Palestine’ with the full benefits of statehood is premature and undermines the negotiating process.”
In August 2006, Costa Rica moved its embassy from Jerusalem to Tel Aviv, a move ADL called “deeply distressing.”
Join the official YWN WhatsApp status
3 Responses
If we want to state our vigorous displeasure re Costa Rico’s action, let’s start by NOT contributing to their economy.
Step 1 would be to pull out of Passover in Costa Rico programs and not participate in any trips or vacations there !
On the other hand, Costa Rica was one of the only countries to establish an embassy in Israel when most other countries refused.
Times were different in late 40’s. Today it seems that Costa Rica is deeply pro-PA. Interestingly, so is ADL, which favor a two state solution (has v’shalom)