Brussels, 14/12/2010 (Agence Europe) - The Palestinian press on Monday noted with interest the European stance on the future of the peace process, and, on Tuesday, national press agency Wafa reported that this position had been received positively. Israeli daily Haaretz, on the other hand, picks up particularly on the EU rejection of any unilateral recognition of an independent Palestinian state and its trust in the peace process. Haaretz sets out in detail the EU statement and the response by Catherine Ashton to the letter received the day before the Council from Palestinian negotiator Sa'eb Eraqat. Ashton welcomes the efforts made in building the institutions of state, but said that she would prefer negotiation. The Jerusalem Post reports in similar fashion, referring to Eraqat's letter but laying greater emphasis events looming with Washington, as White House Special Envoy George Mitchell shuttles back and forth between the two protagonists.
According to Palestinian Authority General Delegate Leila Shahid, the main thing is that the statement confirms that the Palestinians have the right to their own state and is clear about the borders (those of pre-1967). “We do not expect the EU to recognise a Palestinian state in the short term,” she said, citing the complexity of EU decision-making procedures and also differences which she had detected among member states. She does, however, expect a decision to be possible “next summer” at the end of the time allowed the negotiation process to deliver results. In a statement reported by Wafa, Shahid highlights how “positive” the new EU statement is, particularly in its repetition of the demand for a halt to Israeli settlement building and the stated determination to work for the creation of a Palestinian state within the 12 months from September.
Shahid also notes with interest that the European statement gives greater attention to Gaza, especially to restoring the crossing points and allowing the free movement of goods. Wafa reports, too, that a flotilla of 20 vessels is preparing to force the Israeli navy's blockade on the Gaza Strip in a new “Free Gaza” campaign. (F.B./transl.rt)