Isreal’s Lieberman summons Swedish envoy over Palestine recognition

Rasa - The Israeli Foreign Ministry said that the Swedish envoy has been summoned for a meeting on Monday after Swedish Prime Minister Stefan Lofven announced on Friday his intention to recognize Palestine.

News ID: 1320

Date: 06 October 2014 - 16:27

RNA - According to Israeli daily Yediot Aharonot, Israeli Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman said Saturday night that Lofven's announcement was "unfortunate.”

“Prime Minister Loefven needs to understand that no declaration or step by an external party can replace direct negotiations between the parties,” Liberman said today in a post on his Facebook page. “I have instructed the Foreign Ministry staff to invite the Swedish Ambassador to Israel in for a discussion.”

Swedish Prime Minister Stefan Loefven said on Oct. 3 the Palestinians have “legitimate demands for national sovereignty,” and therefore his nation “will recognize the State of Palestine” at some point. Several other European states, including Bulgaria, Cyprus, Hungary, Poland and Romania, have made similar declarations.

However, the Swedish embassy in Israel today released a statement by text mail to reporters intended to clarify Loefven’s comments. “The conflict between Israel and Palestine can only be resolved through a two-state solution, the Prime Minister said, negotiated in accordance with the principles of international law,” it said. “A two-state solution requires mutual recognition and a will to coexist peacefully. Therefore, Sweden will recognize the State of Palestine, the Prime Minister concluded.”

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu released his own statement on the issue in a text message, saying that “unilateral steps work against agreements. They move us further from peace, not closer to it.”

R111/108/A/