Thursday, January 13, 2011

European diplomats write: East Jerusalem the capital of Palestine

A confidential report written by European Union diplomatic representatives in East Jerusalem and Ramallah suggests that European countries should consider East Jerusalem as of now as the capital of a future Palestinian state. 

The news was published on the front page of the Israeli daily Haaretz.

The report is signed by 25 consuls and other diplomatic staff, and was sent last month to the EU Commission for Foreign policy and Security. 

Apparently it has not been made public because of its delicacy.

The petitioners also recommend to the Commission other measures relating to the eastern part of the city. 

Among suggestions, the refusal of European Union government personalities and politicians to visit the offices of the Israeli government that are beyond the "Green Line" that separates the western part of Jerusalem from the east, and the refusal to make use of Israeli "security" in the Old City and East Jerusalem.

The diplomats report also discusses the possibility of banning "violent settlers in East Jerusalem" from entering European Union countries. 

They also encourage a boycott of Israeli products that come from East Jerusalem.
 
The first part of the report examines in detail the construction and expansion of settlements in East Jerusalem, the violations of human rights of Palestinian residents, inequalities in health and education services for Palestinians. 

The report concludes that beyond the humanitarian significance, these elements undermine the Palestinian presence in the Old City. 

SIC: AN/INT'L