10-12-2010, 09:21 AM
Quote:Israel criticized Argentina’s recognition of a Palestinian state, saying that only direct Israeli-Palestinian peace negotiations can resolve the Middle East conflict.
“This is highly damaging interference” in peace efforts, Israeli Foreign Ministry spokesman Yigal Palmor said today in a phone interview from Jerusalem. “It will not help at all to change the situation between Israel and the Palestinians.”
Argentine President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner sent a letter to Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas recognizing Palestine as a “free and independent state,” the Argentine Foreign Ministry said in a statement yesterday.
Argentina’s decision follows a Dec. 3 announcement by Brazil that it also recognizes a Palestinian state with its pre-1967 borders. The move doesn’t affect Argentina’s support for Israel, the statement said. Neighboring Uruguay said yesterday it will announce its recognition of a Palestinian state next year.
http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-de...s-1.329317