Swedish Foreign Minister Carl Bildt, whose country holds the rotating presidency of the European Union, announced it does not favor a unilateral PA (Palestinian Authority) declaration of statehood, explaining there must first be a Palestinian state before the EU can recognize one.

The United States Department of State has issued a similar message, with a spokesman announcing that a declaration of statehood must follow agreement at the negotiating table with Israel.

PA senior negotiator Dr. Saeb Erekat announced on Sunday the PA plans to bring the matter to the UN Security Council, seeking recognition of a unilateral declaration of statehood which would include Jerusalem as its capital and pre-Six Day War boundaries.

Responding to the PA statement, Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu on Sunday announced “there is no substitute” for negotiations and if the PA moves ahead with the move, it will result in the collapse of the diplomatic process and will compel Israel to respond with unilateral actions.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)