EU foreign ministers: Jerusalem must be joint capital of Israel, Palestinian state

Seems you never heard about the "Palestinian Irregulars", that joined the Arab armies in the 1948 attack on Israel " Leading the Arabs was Abdul Kader Husseini, cousin of the ex-Mufti of Jerusalem Haj Amin el Husseini, and a rival of Fawzi Bey Kawukji (TIME, March 15) for command of all Arab forces in Palestine. More like a rash corporal than an army commander, Abdul Kader charged up the rocky slopes at the head of his men. Behind him the sky paled, silhouetting his stocky figure. Haganah Bren guns riveted bullets in a straight line across his body. Abdul Kader fell dead. As news of the battle reached Jerusalem, Arab reinforcements streamed out to Kastel in armored cars, trucks and battered U.S.-made taxis. By midafternoon, 2,000 strong, they occupied the village Read more: http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,798381,00.html#ixzz0Zb963wNo

If you have enough interest to write about it, you should read about it. The Palestinians did not attack Israel in 1948. The West Bank and Jerusalem were occupied by Jordan and Gaza by Egypt. Israel was attacked by Jordan, Egypt, Syria, and Iraq. There were no Palestinian armed forces. Countries who gave back land after war were, among others, the US, UK, France, the USSR, Germany (colonies) Netherlands (colonies) Italy (colonies) Spain(colonies) and Portugal. Regardless how Israel won the occupied territories, by refusing to withdraw from them Israel is in violation of international law and UN resolutions, and by building on the territory and annexing Jerusalem Israel is in violation of UN resolutions, and articles of the 4th Geneva Convention. It is therefore in jeopardy of being prosecuted by the International Criminal Court in the Hague for war crimes.

Your postings are nasty. Arrogance does not imply intellect. In August 1993, in a mutual exchange of letters, PM Rabin insisted on changes to the Palestinian Charter. In response, Arafat wrote that the PLO recognized the State of Israel. It also declared it recognized UN resolutions 242 and 338, and that the PLO commits to the ME peace process and to peaceful resolution of conflict thru negotiations. It said the PLO renounces terrorism and other acts of violence and will assume responsibility to prevent violations and discipline violators. Arafat wrote those articles of the Palestinian covenant which are inconsistent with commitments of this letter are now inoperative and no longer valid. 9 Sept. 1993. The charter was changed to read "A. The Palestinian National Charter is hereby amended by canceling the articles that are contrary to the letters exchanged between the PLO and the Government of Israel, 9-10 Sept. 1993."

You may not be as enthusiastic about Jerusalem if you knew that the Israeli occupation of the city is a violation of international law. UN Security Council resolution 181, under which Israel declared statehood, declared Jerusalem to be an international city managed under UN auspices. In 1980 the Knesset passed the ?Basic Law? which declared Jerusalem complete and unified the capital of Israel. The Basic Law is a violation of UN Security Council resolutions 476 & 478 and thus a violation of Article 49 of the 4th Geneva Convention, and therefore a war crime. Resolution 478 declared the Knesset Basic Law null and void and 476 declares any demographic changes in Jerusalem a violation of international law and a serious violation of the Geneva Convention. By violating the 4th Geneva Convention, Israel makes itself liable to prosecution for a war crime in the International Criminal Court in the Hague.

It is irrelevant whether Jerusalem was Jew-free for 2 months or 50 years. International law will govern the future status of Jerusalem. UN Security Council resolution 181, under which Israel declared statehood, declared Jerusalem to be an international city, "corpus separatum," managed under UN auspices. In 1980 the Knesset passed the ?Basic Law? which declared Jerusalem complete and unified the capital of Israel. The Basic Law is a violation of UN Security Council resolutions 476 & 478 and thus a violation of Article 49 of the 4th Geneva Convention, and therefore a war crime. Resolution 478 declared the Knesset Basic Law null and void and 476 declares any demographic changes in Jerusalem a violation of international law and a serious violation of the Geneva Convention. By violating the 4th Geneva Convention Israel could be prosecuted at the International Criminal Court in the Hague for a war crime.

Every country whose policies and activities are condemned by the UN, The 4th Geneva Convention, and the Human Rights Council presumably considers those attacks part of a political campaign. Rogue nations in violation of international law have that problem. The EU draft does not represent a political assault against every state forced to confront terrorist threats. Saudi Arabia, for example, in the front line in war against radical Islamic terrorism (in a recent 4-day period the Saudis killed 15 Al Qaeda members, and have over 200 in prison) have not been a subject to such an assault. Neither has Yemen, fighting Al Qaeda in its NE territories, nor Pakistan, and not the US, UK or Spain. Israel is a minor player in the war against terrorism. Hamas and Hezbollah are not threats to anyone but Israel, and that is less than minor.The world does not quake at the mention of their names. Minor leagues stuff. How many Al Qaeda members has Israel killed? How many does Israel have in prison?

East Jerusalem and the West Bank were part of Jordan from 1948-67, Jordan lost that territory in the Six Day War. It was the Jordanian flag that flew in East Jerusalem prior 1967. It wasn't until the 1980's that Jordan relinquished all rights to the area.

Good news? Peace loving people. Yeah, that's a good one. Do not put peace loving people in the same sentence with palestinians. How many chances do you and your so called 'leaders' need to achiece peace? You have thrown it out the window how many times. Israel should give NOTHING more in return, prisoners, land, NOTHING. Good news for you? Move to Jordan or across the Suez canal.

"There`s more room in Jordan than in Israel. Why are not the Palestinians welcome there?" Do you have a point other than to want to be rid of the Palestinians? Why would the Palestinians want to move to Jordan? Jordan hasn't been a part of Palestine since 1946.

There's more room in Jordan than in Israel. Why are not the Palestinians welcome there?

for sure you mean the arabs and their problem of having a jewish neighbour (i. e. the jewish state of israel) at their side!

The Israeli right has no intent to have non-Jews as citizens of the Jewish State. Israel has no constitution. There is NO guarantee that undesirable elements such as Arabs, Druze and what have cannot be expelled. Even the 'moderate' Livni has suggested Israel's Arabs might be happier emigrating to Palestine. Haaretz will probably censor this post because it does not like people to point out that the 'Jewish State' is a code word for a 'Jews Only State' which is the goal of some of the most influential and powerful people in the nation. This might be a result of the fact that many of the people who hold the real power in Israel don't think 'secular' or 'liberal' Jews are real Jews either. In which case many might follow the Arabs into exile. The liberals were happy to build a "Jewish Homeland', somewhere that Jews could go if they had no other place. Now the right rules, and like the right everywhere they believe in One Nation, One People, and . . . . That means no Gentiles.

And it describes the nay-sayer as: "The Arab League representative in Brazil" And, of course, we all know that only **the** most senior Arab League representatives ever get handed the "Brazil gig", right? I think you will find that there is, indeed, an "Arab League representative to the EU", so maybe it's a good idea to ask him for his comments, and not the Arab League dude who has been handed a dead-end job half a world away....

Since it became the inadmissablity of acquring territory by war became law, The British / Occupied Palestine, didn't annex it. The USA / Japan. The allies / Germany Why, even ISRAEL /Egypt & Jordan. In fact the list that haven't is very small, very very small indeed. "I don`t really remember reading about any counties that did.." Don't read much or just forgetfull? " - england and hong kong ...." It was by a formal agreement. "israel won it fair and square in WAR.." Illegal to acquire territory by war. " which THEY did not want!" War is started by the party that fires the first shot. Israel has shown us it's wars were in order to keep territory. That IS what it has done. Were it's wars for other reasons, it would have surely have returned the territories according to the law.

these words are very sweet and lovely for palestinians and all peace-loving people around the world, however we need real action, not just speeches and documents! I am waiting for the EU to actually take real action against apartheid israel and prove me wrong! We are waiting for you Europe!

SDHD: "No cummings. Post the amended charter." Post the demand that the PLO ever had to rewrite its charter, SDHD. The demand was always that the PLO had to ANNUL the provisions in its charter that were objectionable to the USA and to Israel, and that is something that the PLO most definitely did. I'll point out that at Wyre River the POTUS and the Israeli PM restated their demand for that annulment, and that both of those gentlemen subsequently acknowledged that this demand was met. Q: Their names? A: Bill Clinton and.... Benyamin Netanyahu.

You know you are in a very weak position, unfortunately screaming wont help.

You did not play in a Casino, and nowadays no land can change hands by colonial conquest. There is such a thing as int'al law, my dear friend. Even with the zionist lobbies in Washington. You do not remember? You should eat a lot of fish, they say it helps the memory. PS the zionists gave back the Sinai after a war. Remember? The Frank Kingdom of Jerusalem also conquered Palestine, but alas, Salah ad-din disagreed. It took a hundred year, but Islam retook their land and have kept it ever since.

Everybody and his dog know you started the ethnic cleansing business, well before 1948 according to Ben Gurion diaries and other historical sources, because since the beginning you zionists wanted Greater Israel, a place which has never existed. If you were doing the same in my country I for one will do my best to kick you out for another two thousand years. I would want my country back. PS There were two kingdoms in Palestine but unfortunately never at the same time.

I am totally against the division of Jerusalem. This belongs to the state of Israel and Jerusalem should be recognized as the capitol of Israel.

And with their internal Moslem neighbors, which never attacked them. How come?

Read it!

both jews and palestinians can live in peace there if the will and desire is present. the alternative is an endless and eternal war between the zionists and the palestinians. we can learn from history that no people have benefited from war, surpression, occupation, anexation, from violence and force. we peoples live on the same planet. we breath the same air and the world/earth belongs to us all.

Thank you for the correction. In any case, if Isrel has to share Jerusalem, then we should re-write history and all internaional countris should evaluate their caimed land.

"So Arafat never followed through with his promise to recognise Israel, SDHD? Read and learn or check it out for yourself " No cummings. Post the amended charter. "How many more times do the Palestinians have to say the same thing before the average Joe on the Tel Aviv omnibus gets the message?" When they amend their charter the way they promised they would, cummings.

"Can anyone tell Avraham what "east" Jerusalem should consist of? That`s an easy one Avraham. It consists of exactly what it did from 1948 to 1967 - everything in the city East of the Green Line." It was only Jew-free and Jerusalem was only split for 19 years, my rabid little cummings.

Amsterdam is the joint capital of Europe. Maybe we've all misunderstood. Love and peace,man. THREE CHEERS FOR ISRAEL!!!

I don't really remember reading about any counties that did - england and hong kong is about it and the english stole that and had to give it back israel won it fair and square in WAR which THEY did not want!

if they only didn't attack isreal after the UN declaration NONE of this would be a issue now! Plain and simple like a little kid, the PALs now want their ball back

some things never change chicken sh*t europeeons - they got such brave talk but they can't do what they tell the world to do is was Bill Clinton/USA that save the muslims in europe not the eurpeeons back in the 90's -

Your comments on Jerusalem require no response, at best. "If one knows anything about history," as you say, they will know that you have no idea what you are talking about. The Philistines were from Crete, not semitic, and had nothing to do with the origin of Palestinians. The Palestinian origin is Palestine, and they predate Israelites in Canaan. When Israelite tribes crossed into Canaan, also know as Palestine, Canaan was occupied by semite tribes, Amorites, Hittites and Jebusites. The words Jews and Arabs weren't known yet.The Jebusites had built Jerusalem and occupied it for 100 years after the Israelites arrived in Canaan. The New York University School of Medicine, and the National Academy of Sciences have discovered that Middle East Jewish men have a common genetic signature with Palestinian, Syrian and Lebanese men, and not with any other non-Jews in the world. In the academic world many noted scholars and historians judge the Jebusites to be forebears of the Palestinians.

...is to strenghten sanctions against Iran until it stops pursuing a nuclear weapons capability. Israel fights her own wars.

I just throw this question to anyone who may want to answer it. I should have supposed that if Jerusalem is so important to Islam as is claimed,it would have been promoted over Amman in 1948.But it wasn't.Amman remained Jordan's capital and Jerusalem was neglected. Could it be that the Hashemites who came from Arabia and claim descent from Mohammed didn't attach the importance to Jerusalem that some are doing now?Surely they would have been in the best position to judge. THREE CHEERS FOR ISRAEL!!!

Bravo Tomy. As indicated Sweden currently holding the EU presidency. Perhaps Sweden should take oportunity and concentrate at Sweden occupation and apertheid of SAMPI people and stop correcting and creating new world history.

A correction. After Israel destroyed, preemptively the Egyptian air force, Jordan launched an attack on Israel. In defending itself Israel liberated the eastern part of Jerusalem and the west bank.

The establishment of the EU was Primarily for economic purposes: so that the Europeans could once again find economic clout world wide since as individuals, they floundered in comparison to the past. The move was heavily supported and no one argued. With economic clout comes the ability to have political 'say', however, THIS WAS NOT THE PURPOSE OF THE EU, AS IS EVIDENCED BY THEIR SINGLE CURRENCY SYSTEM. We already have a UN, we don't need anothe incompetent political union of nations to butt in to the affairs of others. If the EU uses economy as a weapon, they are murderous and treacherous, period. The issue of Palestinians, a state for them: this is now, solely the unilateral decision of Israel, not the EU, the UN or the Palestinians. The Arabs did not accept the conditions the world put on the RE-FORMATION of Israel and war broke out. Israel seized and annexed their ancient land. Period. With this said, it is up to Israel to decide on borders, not the Eu.

Who are they to decide the future of Jerusalem. How about if Bibi declares that Brussels must be the new capital of Palestine?

You remind me of Esther (TA)..both of you would kiss pal bums to make peace..that's called "appeasing".. What is wrong with you people????????

will NOT be shared with anybody. It belongs to the jews for more then 3000 years it will be jewish forever. STOP wanting it, go to Mecca and Medina.

Based upon historicity, the city of Gaza has a 'core group' of individuals who have occupied the area for centuries. Although it is in Greater Israel, Israel should provide for the establishment of a hi-bred state of Gaza: A city-state within the Nation of Israel. The people are simply "Gazans", clarifying the ambiguous and unfounded term: Palestinian. The Gazans would be treated as complete allies and friends to the state, provided they accept the conditions of an un-armed Gazan nation. Israel would help Gaza flourish and expand its boundaries somewhat and ask Egypt to allow further extention into their territory as a gift. This is a very sound solution and would send a clear, concise message to the world that Israel will not invade on or de-valuate the culture of a people.

Resettlement to the East? That's been tried didn't go well doubt Planet Earth will allow it to happen again

Perhaps more than any other people on the planet, as demonstrated by the slaughter of innocent Jews throughout the centuries, Jews deserve, indeed NEED, the right of self-determination. I'm sure you would agree that the Palestinians deserve the right to self-determination. It's racist to deny Jews the same.

The EU has no authority over Israel's decisions and this has dashed their credibility. Asserting themselves in such a way:"We will not recognize pre-1967 borders." Israel should say the same about all the borders in the EU and put conditions on them!!!! That would make them all guilty of hypocrisy. Jerusalem will remain undivided. Israel must unilaterally decide on and declare the territories. Period.

DOES THAT ANSWER YOUR QUESTION.

So Arafat never followed through with his promise to recognise Israel, SDHD? Read and learn or check it out for yourself if you're determined to resist history : 'September 9, 1993 Yitzhak Rabin Prime Minister of Israel Mr. Prime Minister, The signing of the Declaration of Principles marks a new era...I would like to confirm the following PLO commitments: The PLO recognizes the right of the State of Israel to exist in peace and security. The PLO accepts United Nations Security Council ...' etc., etc. How many more times do the Palestinians have to say the same thing before the average Joe on the Tel Aviv omnibus gets the message?

"It was the British, in 1919, who began to undermine their own Mandate" There was no mandate in 1919 ... and when there was one some years later, it did not demand that the British should install a Jewish state with a minority of Jews being the masters of an Arab majority.

Do a search for: "Life in Israel part one 1948" Historic photos of Jews being tossed out of East Jerusalem in 1948.

and ancient history, if the right feels so strongly about lumbering Israel with the pejorative ethn0-religious moniker of 'The Jewish State of...', let us have a vote on the proposal within Israel. It is after all quite a significant constitutional matter. And like any decision to change the status quo, it would need a two-thirds majority. I predict it would be a real eye-opener for the average Israeli, as they realised the full implications of adopting a racial/theocratic identity. I would not bet on the majority being so convinced.

The preconditions for peace negotiations have been put on the table, that is what this clarification of long existing declaration is all about, nothing more, nothing less..

....a rational people and an irrational people. Irrational people unfortunately often tend to have problems with their neighbours.... ....and that not only in the Middle East...:)

So I guess the EU will march to Israeli borders to enforce their view that Jerusalem be divided? The Jews have defended Jerusalem for thousands of years, much of it recorded in the Torah. Hezekiah's Tunnel remains proof of one of their successes against the invading Babylonians. They will succeed now too. The fact is the EU has helped to create a monster in the Palestinian Arabs. Without ever asking them to take responsibility for themselves and their actions, the EU is sick to death of the situation and wants Israel to act in its worst interests. Nope. The majority of Jews and Christians do not want Muslims to rule in their Holy City.

Let clarify the status of "Jerusalem". East Jerusalem, including the west Bank, was part of Jordan until 1968 when Israeli military, a.k.a. Zahal, preemptively captured ?East Jerusalem? during the ?6 day war?. From 1948 until 1968, East Jerusalem was controlled by Jordan. Many Jewish religious areas were desecrated, and destroyed. Most of those that call themselves Palestinians are nomads. The PLO was kicked out of many Arab countries that don?t want anything to do with them. If anyone knows anything about history, the original ?philistines? were Greeks who settled in what was called Palestine, prior to 1948 creation of the State of Israel. SO, if the Jordanians did NOT mind that Jerusalem is keep as a whole when they made peace with Israel, why should anyone else???... Jerusalem is the rightful capital of the State of Israel!!!!

otherwise what's the conflict about? The future Palestinian state is predominantly a Muslim (secular) state, I believe. It's rather racist in my interpretation in refusing to acknowledge that the Israeli state was established with 1) a religious Jewish connotation and 2) a nationalistic / political connotation during ancient times by King David and currently the majority of Israelis and Jews would agree to this affiliation. The day of true peace will arrive when this is understood by the Palestinians and other Muslims. In fact, because both of our forefather was Abraham and there were common Biblical narratives, this acknowledgement should not be so complex to comprehend.

It has been argued, by scholars of international law, that the agreements of the international Paris Peace Conference of 1919, and their formal assignment to Britain as the Mandatory by the League of Nations, continue to be legally binding on all parties under international law. In addition to Jewish legal claims based on the 1922 law a case can be made that it is also morally binding and that England is guilty of bad faith and for having engaged in deliberate sabotage of that agreement. A most promising beginning for Arab-Jewish relations in the Middle East was deliberately undermined by England and this part of history must be brought to bear upon the present conflict. Israel has a right to make full land claims under that 1922 Mandate by the League of Nations. The Arabs should also be made aware that it was England that instigated them against the Jews in pursuit of British imperial interests and to the disadvantage of both Arabs and Jews

"G. Marcus plays an old and well-worn Israeli record. " How about a new record for you R Cummings.... League of Nations assigned Britain as the Mandatory to faithfully carry out these agreements. It was British Colonial Secretary Winston Churchill who unilaterally divided Mandatory Palestine into an exclusively Arab sector (Trans Jordan) and a Jewish sector. The Arabs received 76% of the original territory, comprising 35,000 square miles, located east of the Jordan River. That left the Jewish sector with only 10,000 square miles out of their original 45,000 square miles, which was still less than 1% of the combined Arab areas of 5 million square miles. That remaining Jewish sector is today contested with the 'Palestinians' claiming the 'West Bank' and Gaza to create, in effect, a second Palestinian state. (Jordan is mostly Palestinian.) It was the British, in 1919, who began to undermine their own Mandate and to instigate the Arabs against Jews.

Fine.If they feel like you do, Israel can boycott the EU, cease all trade with it's biggest customer and stop asking EU countries to do their dirty work for them with regards to Iran. It's all perfectly acceptable to us. Good luck.

Jordan occupied E. Jerusalem for 19 years and not a single Jew was permitted to enter ? ""The EU will not recognize any changes to the pre-1967 borders, including with regard to Jerusalem," said the EU ministerial draft. It referred to the Six-Day War in which Israel captured east Jerusalem from the Jordanian army." So for them the Jordan rule was o"key" ?? What a bunch of hypocrites . Just keep out , but if EU wants to divide , lets start with Stockholm .

The Swedish draft is much more serious than many readers seem to think. Irrelevant, you say? If the USA disagrees, it doesn't matter what the EU says or does? Not so fast. Europe has many potential levers to use on Israel. They simply have never taken such a clear position as the Swedish draft before. The Swedish draft is in accordance with all the UN resolutions, there is nothing all that controversial about it. If the EU passes the draft and stands behind it firmly, it would be well for Israelis to remember that the EU, not the USA is their key trading partner, that Israeli teams play in European leagues, not in American ones, etc, etc... Europe has a thousand screws to turn.

"One is the recognition of Israel. Arafat did that years ago" No, cummings. He said he would amend the Palestinian Authority charter, but never did. You know that too, don't you?

Ironic that the Zionists who were so desperate to divide Palestine in 1947, are now so desperate to avoid dividing Jerusalem. I guess they now know how the Palestinian Arabs felt in 1947.

of the European Union. That will teach them

The size of a country is not important to the international community of nations, it is what that country does to its fellow man that draws admonishment. To infer moral equivalency between Iran, Russia and Israel will not divert attention. Is there another country that has illegally subjected another people to a harsh and humiliating occupation for 42 years? What other country has built on other peoples land in violation of UN resolutions and articles of the 4th Geneva Convention? What other country do you know that is vulnerable to prosecution in the ICC for commission of a war crime? Do you know another country that has placed a population of 1.4 million people under a blockade that deprives them of enough food to meet international standards for basic nutritional needs? That blockade is a human rights violation and a violation of international law. Israel's human rights record compares only to those of Burma and North Korea.

1. The EU member nations, as signatories to the Geneva conventions, have a legal right to enforce international law. East Jerusalem is not Israel, and has never been recognized by one country as being in Israel. 2. If Israel wanted peace, then she would stop stealing and annexing land that doesn't belong to her, which she continues to do at record rates. 3. Why does an old book and fancy voodoo give a people the right to a physical piece of land that their ancestors - supposedly, as the biblical fairy tale goes - were settled on some 2,000 years ago. Did not many of these original Hebrews convert to Christianity and then some to Islam. Reason anybody? 4. Is the real history of Europe, including that of Khazar - the homeland of Ashkenazi (European) Jews - not as credible as the biblical kids story? Israel's claim to East Jerusalem will NEVER be recognized by the international community, cry all you want Israel, it makes no difference, East Jerusalem WILL be PALESTINE :)

Divide the city in a manner that will facilitate peaceful coexistence. Both peoples should have a place of worship. The Israeli's should be allowed to rebuild their Temple as part of a final deal that divides the city. This is what is at the heart of the issue, Both Jews, and Muslims deserve to worship The Creator as their religion dictates. Find a solution to this and the rest will fall into place.

League of Nations assigned Britain as the Mandatory to faithfully carry out these agreements. It was British Colonial Secretary Winston Churchill who unilaterally divided Mandatory Palestine into an exclusively Arab sector (Trans Jordan) and a Jewish sector. The Arabs received 76% of the original territory, comprising 35,000 square miles, located east of the Jordan River. That left the Jewish sector with only 10,000 square miles out of their original 45,000 square miles, which was still less than 1% of the combined Arab areas of 5 million square miles. That remaining Jewish sector is today contested with the 'Palestinians' claiming the 'West Bank' and Gaza to create, in effect, a second Palestinian state. (Jordan is mostly Palestinian.) It was the British, in 1919, who began to undermine their own Mandate and to instigate the Arabs against Jews.

I live in Tel Aviv and am not religious but no country is going to tell me that they will divide the old city of Jerusalem again. I still remember 1967 when the Kottel was liberated, the tears, the joy all over the world. Never again. Only Israel will allow all religions freedom to pray as they wish. The Palestinians never owned Jerusalem and have no claim except once Mohammed lifted a rock!!! They have Mecca.

Why should Israel relinquish Jerusalem, or the Golan Heights for that matter? The result of war has often been redrawn borders. Provided the new citizens are granted full rights, this is legit. The settlement of the West Bank is something different, and wrong, but I don't see why Israel should have to give up East Jerusalem. Why not demand that Israel withdraw to the 1947 UN Partition Plan borders while you're at it, and ask the neighbours to have another go?!

"they are disputed territories... no where in any int`l doc`s does this terminology show up." Does UNSC res. 242 talk of occupation or not?

G. Marcus plays an old and well-worn Israeli record. 'The Arabs have not and will not recognize the right of Israeli Jews to their own nation-state.' It is a crafty claim, because it rolls two disparate things into one. One is the recognition of Israel. Arafat did that years ago and the Arab League has undertaken to do so the moment Israel accepts the Green Line border. Even Hamas has said it will accept that border, subject to a Palestinian referendum. So Israel is or can be recognised and accepted within agreed borders. Two is the recognition of Israel as 'The Jewish State of...'. While countries will or will not recognise Israel by whatever name it calls itself, that one is a can of worms. It is racist, as 35%+ of Israeli citizens inc. the Russians are not Jews. It opens the door to two classes of citizenship. And it is theologically offensive, as under half the citizenry practice Judaism. Also, it is not even Israel's official name!

Jerusalem is not mentioned in the Koran even once. You can't rewrite the Koran on air on Al Jazeera" Anti-dhimmitude on...Al-Jazeera. "Israeli on Arab TV: Jerusalem Was Ours When Moslems Worshipped Idols," by Tzvi Ben Gedalyahu for Israel National News, June 5 (thanks to Seth): (IsraelNN.com) Bar Ilan University political scientist Dr. Mordechai Kedar told a Moslem show host on the Arabic-language Al Jazeera television network, "Jews were in Jerusalem while your ancestors were drinking wine and blowing to idols." In a heated debate with the narrator, he added, "We don't need your permission to build" in the capital of Israel, Jerusalem

but they don't want to. How about Israel takes Tel Aviv as their capital?

Oran S has a very blinkered view of history. Of course Jews accepted the partition plan and Palestinians rejected it - it was the mother of all land grabs giving 55% of Palestine to Jewish immigrants from Europe who owned less that 6%of the land. At that stage Jewish terror gangs had already ethnically cleansed 300 000 of the 750 Palestinians who were evicted from their homes and farms before the undemocratic declaration of the Israeli state. The refugee problem will not go away. The one secular democratic state with an undivided Jerusalem is the solution.

Remember little David and the giant, Goliath? I think history is about to repeat itself. Do we Israelis know who is behind the existence of the State of Israel? From where does our help come? Peace negotiations are one thing. Bowing to idols is another. Can we tell the difference?

Why is the EU always picking on Israel only? Why don't they support the refugees in Sudan or Tchetchenia?

Send the former nightclub bouncer to re-educate him.

as I said only yesterday supporting Israel is a vote loser, particularly in the Labour heartlands populated by moslems who are more likely to vote than the indigenous population. Therefore if Milliband and brown can show these voters that Britain is opposing Israel it may just nullify the fact that we went to war with Iran and are currently engaged in Afghanistan. Can't say why other European countries have supported this draft statement. only to suggest that in these countries to the fact is that openly supporting Israel no longer attracts more votes than opposing Israel. Might have something to do with the changing demographics within Europe don't you think?

Beside the Palestinian in east Jerusalem don?t want the PA to govern them, but they afraid to say that out loud.

According to international law, East Jerusalem does not belong to the Palestinians either (It was conquered from Jordan, and Jordan has publicly renounced claims to this area). Before Jordan took control of it, East Jerusalem was under the rule of the British Mandate in Palestine, and this land was partitioned to be international no mans land. So it definitely does not belong to the Palestinians either...

Thats a good idea, the starting point will be East Jerusalem is the capital of a Palestinian State, and West Jerusalem is the capital of Israel. We might even pay for the Wailing Wall to be moved to West Jerusalem as this is a major point of contention. Great Idea, I'll write to Gordie

Why did Israel 'over run' the municipality of East Jerusalem in 1967? Because it was attacked by several Arab countries and in a war of self defense managed to conquer this territory (in addition to the WB and gaza). Why was east Jerusalem under Jordanian rule pre 1967? Because Jordan attacked Israel and annexed east Jerusalem during Israel's war of independence, and 'none of these actions are permitted or regognized under international law'. So why was there no international uproar then about this land?

and no "palestinian" state because the world is too weak and divided to impose it's will on the matter.Heck, it won't even be able to stop an Israeli attack on Iran's nuclear facilities once again dragging the world to war. Settlement freeze was Obama's price for a green/flashing yellow light. Have fun kids.

I was in Catalunya last summer and asked about this to sseveral members of the indigenous population. They have a version of home rule whilst still being part of Spain. However, perhaps if Israel does what you propose other nations will follow Israel's lead as light unto the nations.

is subjective, they are disputed territories... no where in any int'l doc's does this terminology show up.

"I don't really understand why Israel does not accept that Palestine consists of the West Bank, Gaza and East Jerusalem," Luxembourg's Foreign Minister Jean Asselborn told journalists. Israel and the Jews accepted this with open arms in the UN partition plan for the British Mandate in 1947. The arabs could have been living in a country of their own in the west bank, gaza, and east jerusalem. Israel accepted it, the Arabs did not, and even attacked the Jews afterwards. That is why there is now a state of Israel and unfortunately no Palestinian state. Read up on your history...

Jerusalem should be UNDIVIDED, the capital both of Israel and Palestine. To achieve that objective, Jerusalem should be an Israelo-Paslestinian condominium, claimed by both. Practically, it would be governed by a tripartite body--Israel, Palestine and a third party. That body would handle the routine administration of the territory. There is an example of such a condomiunim. In 688, the Byzantine Emperor Justinian II and the Arab Caliph Abd al-Malik reached an agreement to establish a condominium over Cyprus, with the taxes from the island being equally divided between the two parties. The arrangement lasted for 300 years, despite the fact that there was nearly constant warfare between the two parties on the mainland. Such an arrangement gives the undivided city the status of "Eternal Capital of Israel" and as the capital of Palestine while providing for the protection of the Holy Places for all people of the world.

The remarkably naive EU, simply doesn'tunderstand that EU Dividing Jerusalem guarantees house to house, urban war in the future, with Arab artilery on the top of the Mount of Olives. It seems to me that the Palestinans want to pre-arrange things for a do-over of 1948, but this time where THEY win. Why should Israel give half of its capitol to a hostile entity dedicated to using that half of Jerusalem to take the remainder of the city, and then the truncated country? We all read and understood Arafat's '74 Phased Plan, except of course for the EU.

"The EU will not recognize any changes to the pre-1967 borders, including with regard to Jerusalem," said the EU ministerial draft. It referred to the Six-Day War in which Israel captured east Jerusalem from the Jordanian army. If Israel captured east Jerusalem from Jordan (who themselves cannot rightfully claim Jerusalem as their own because they captured it in april 1950), why are the palestinians claiming it as their own? Also, if memory serves correctly, in 1988, Jordan publicly renounced any claims to east Jerusalem. Why do the Palestinian's feel that this land is rightfully theirs?

to enforce international law - which Israel is gravely in breach of.

EU Ministers should stop fantasizing and spewing their crap. They have NO business intruding in Israel's internal affairs and robbing Israel of Jerusalem-Israel's capital-city and spiritual center since ancient time. Israel should repel these modern day Crusaders from ever playing god on Israel again.

Jerusalem should consist of? That's an easy one Avraham. It consists of exactly what it did from 1948 to 1967 - everything in the city East of the Green Line. All that happened in 1967 is that Israel over-ran the municipality of East J'sem and proceeded to unlawfully 'annex' and settle it and illegally change the city boundaries. None of these actions are permitted or recognised under international law. It means that the settlements of Gilo, Har Gilo, Giv'at HaMatos, Har Homa, E Talpiyot, Ramot, Pisgat Ze'ev, Neve Ya'akov and Ma'aleh Adumin are illegal because they are built on occupied territory, in defiance of Geneva Convention 4. If Israel disagrees, it can always pop off to the Hague and try its luck at overturning international law. I wouldn't wager too much on a successful outcome though.

The EU must go much further in its dealings with an Israeli state more comfortable with bombing (usually civilians) than compromise. If Israel doesn't accept the requirement to treat the Palestinians as equals and enter into a meaningful dialogue. Then the EU's preferential trade agreement with Israel should be ended.

on the status of Jerusalem because the inhabitants of the municipality are majority of Jews and Muslims who currently live in coexistence. There are problems currently but not unsurmountable in this progressive day and age. If one has been to the region recently they'll notice that it's somewhat already divided. However, the legalities of announcing the recognition of a joint capital are meaningless if both the Israelis and Palestinians are unwilling to recognize the valid importance of this glorious capital to both religions. That's the reason President Abbas must take up PM Netanyahu's interest to resume peace talks.

Isreali authorities made sure that Jerusalem stayed divided.There always was a prosperous modern jewish part and an impovrish, lacking basic servises palestinian part. The palestian parts of the city are nothing more than bedroom communities, there are no industries, government offices etc.. no israeli jews have a need to go there and ever been there. Israelis will not even see the difference if these nieghborhoods are no longer under israeli control.

Israël does not want two states, no more a single state. Israël wants rules applied to itself Israëlis would not like applied to themselves in other countries. Not a single area outside 1967 borders belongs to Israël according to international law. That is as simple as that.

Are the EU foreign ministers now ready to recognize Euskadi as an independent nation and Barcelona as the capital of liberated Catalunya?

The French, Arabic, Spanish and in all of the official Languages of the UN, reference is made to all of territories occupied in June 1967. English is not the only text negotiators will refer to.

if it werent for the Crusaders and Europeans there would be no Jewish state now.

The execution of this proposal will be very complicated, with the endless unreasonable demands of the Pals, They will not allow Israeli participation in the decision making process, Now that EU ministers propose this, maybe some of them should come over and handle the negotiations, that will teach them.

Its all Jerusalem east and west from one end to end no division; I mean the capital of Palastine.

It's one thing to pressure people like Milosevic because Europeans and the world liked Bosnians and Croatians enough. People are also, let's face it, confront Jews because of the holocaust. The holocaust and legacy of anti-Semitism gives Israel somewhat of a license to practice anti-Semitism against Palestinians and bulldoze their homes, annex land in East Jerusalem, and the West Bank and Israel's supporters will see nothing wrong with that. A true Israeli supporter would want Israel to be a moral country, not a state that does what it does to a minority.

this is no secret.

It must be seen in this continuum to be really understood.

"I don't really understand why Israel does not accept that Palestine consists of the West Bank, Gaza and East Jerusalem." Luxembourg's Foreign Minister Jean Asselborn Maybe travel to Israel and Palestine, and learn some about it.

The EU ministers simply don't 'get it'. The silly fools think there is going to be "Palestinian State". No State means no need for a Capital.

Nice. Turn the world and the facts upside down. In 1967 the force that was attempted was that of the Arab nations and the Palestinian people who attacked Israel, without any provocation whatsoever, with a view to liquidating her. Israel was able to fight that battel of Arab territory and was willing to retreat for peace, recognition and negotiations. When met with no on every count, Israel settled into both historic territory and non-historic territory. It negotiated witdrawels and voluntarily withdrew from several areas. As to the West Bank, that is historic Jewish territory, Jerusalem is a city built by Jews and occupied by Arabs after the conquest of th 7th or 8th century. Jews were kicked out of Jerusalem as late as the 0th centurty and prevented from praying at their holiest site. Those that are violent, the Arabs, should pary the price for their violence and Jews should have access to and sovereinty over the city they built and never left voluntarily.

Well , I think that Bibi got what he deserved. He buckled under US pressure time and time again. He runs from one EU capital to next trying to court his faithful EU friends. This is what he gets in return. This trend will continue. The US and the EU will trample on Bibi and Barak and apply more and more pressure since they see their success. Either Bibi will at the end surrender everything or the Israelis will one understand what's happening and find a way to replace the Bibi/Barak couple with a serious leader.

Fact: No nation recognises the illegal annexation of East Jerusalem by Israel. Fact: Jerusalem is not a united city. That is a myth. Fact: the EU has set a precedent and publically announced their position. Israel's threats did not succedd in restraining them from going public. ow the concrete action will follow as were contained in the proposal of the Swedish minister to the EU. Israel can balk all it wants. What this means is that Israel will be further isolated and its occupation of East Jerusalem will be openly defied.

No such state called Palestine ever existed in history.

thank you eu !!!!!!!

Why has there always been such interest in such a little country? Why isn't the EU forcing Iran to give up its Nuke program, or Russia to give up attacking Georgia, or even Canad to give up its ham? Serriously---isn't it amazing that Istrael still causes such a stir in politics and there are always bigger bullies trying to force her into submission?! Whatever you do Israel---do not give up anything to the EU or the new bully on the block, the US! It is a shame what Obama has done to the US and what he is trying to do to the rest of the world.

but that of the Jewish people and the state of Israel. Even when the now disputed territories were Jew-free, "cleansed" of their Jewish residents, 1948 and 1967, by their Arab rulers, the Arabs there didn't set up an independent state and didn't designate Jerusalem as their capital city. For Europeans to come now and contrary to international agreements and UN resolutions, e.g. 242, attempt to dictate the future of a matter that is part of the internal affairs of a non-EU member state and non-European country reminds one of the dark days of European imperialism. Is this the way Europe and Europeans wish to be viewed by the rest of the world, or at least by the Jewish people whose nation-state is Israel...?? And perhaps since they deal with Jews, they don't really care, also a leftover of centuries of anti-Jewish racism in the continent...??

Their are no international laws that force a country to accept as citizens a hostile group dedicated to the destruction of the country accepting them as citizens. Common sense should prevail. In addition I see no need for Israel to be forced to commit demographic suicide. The fact that people suggest it as a reasonable alternative seems antisemitic.

I thought that was UN who made decisions like this! UN cant do its job? no! UN res 242 exists! EU is in land of isr?? no so how can the ministers of EU decide its capital? The land occupied will be returned with negotiations and land swaps(UN decision)! EU is a political and economical union not an international law inspector(UNs Job)! this proves either EU is insane or UN is useless and illegitimate... EU is getting out of its borders!

"I don't really understand why Israel does not accept that Palestine consists of the West Bank, Gaza and East Jerusalem," Luxembourg's Foreign Minister Jean Asselborn told journalists. "The Israelis have a right to live in Israel, the Palestinians have a right to live in Palestine." The problem Mr Asselborn is that while Israel has recognized that Pal-Arabs have a right to live in their own country - and already offered them 97% of the territories - the Arabs have not and will not recognize the right of Israeli Jews to their own nation-state. Inexorable pan-Arabist and Pan-Islamist dogma prevents them from doing so. Accordingly, until the Pal-Arabs cease to view every Israeli concession as another step in the 1974 Staged Plan to dismantle the Jewsih nation-state, Israel will have to continue the occupation that is vital to its defense and security. Otherwise all of Israel in no time would turn into a Sderot!

... the Zionist are behaving like Romans, or crusaders. I much more like the thinking of 'a Jew' here (nr. 15). The answers lie in the religion. I believe the Palestinians are the descendants of the Jews, who lived there in ancient times. And of course they mixed with the surrounding population. So did we all.

I propose a boycott on EU travel and products if the EU unilaterally recognizes Jerusalem as the capital of a future Palestinian state.

historically the israelites practiced the hebrew religion and had no talmud nor the latter written parts of torah...they did have mosaic law...israelites are what is known as the ten lost tribes...judaens or jews practice a newer form of hebrew just as christians and muslims do with the root religion being hebrew

...it is also US which has never recognized the unification of Jerusalem. And many countries outside US and Europe,too. Eu is only acting according to the UN resolutions after the resolution 242!

.... even better!

Even the authors of Res. 242 understood "all" territories would not be returned to the losers of that war. Which was why they left that word out of the resolution. In repeated interviews with the authors of Res. 242 they clearly stated Israel would have to retain some portions of the land for defensive purposes, their intent was to have those issues decided by the parties involved (Israel, Jordan and Egypt at that time). The Palestinians are not mentioned in Res. 242 because at the time they didn't exist as a separate entity. So the EU ministers need to let the parties involved now, actually negotiate, instead of imposing pre-conditions, although I believe the Palestinians will likely come out of it with East Jerusalem as their capital with limited control for security reasons (to protect Israel).

The Pals should declare they are no longer interrested in a piecemeal state and tell the world they are ready to become Israeli citizens. Under International law Israel must assimilate them. One democratic state for two peoples. The Pals will shortly have a voting majority but hey, thats what democracy is about. The majority opinion rules.

Here we go again,the here today gone tomorrow politicians deciding on Israel's fate. The Europeans and the Americans are trying to stop terrorism and they are pushing Israel to help them create something they are trying to destroy,namely a terror state. How stupid can they get?

arabs "The EU will not recognize any changes to the pre-1967 borders, including with regard to Jerusalem," collapses into the contention that only Arabs, not Jews, have the right to own and use these lands.

it dectates EU Foreign Policy.

The European crusaders are back dictating what should take place in the holy land. Their meddling as usual creates more problesm and resolves none. The Palestinians will now dig in their heels and refuse to partake in peace talks unless Israel stops building in Jeruslaem. The Europeans, as usual, are so biased in favor of the Palestinians that Israel should totally exclude them from having any say in the future.

You may not change borders by force.

and not jews. just in case you ever wondered.

Interesting how the EU only has principals when it comes to Israel, Jerusalem, anti-Semitism and Jews. Anyone notice a pattern here? Anyone notice how the British have drifted away from Israel under Gordon Brown and David Milband?

The Goldstone mandate and The Report's recommendations and the EU draft are fully in line with their one-sided agenda that seek to harness the Security Council, the General Assembly the International Criminal Court, the Human Rights Council, and the entire international community in their political campaign against Israel.

Jerusalem is not for sale,is the Israeli capital and Palestinian will never share Jerusalem us. I think this is Cristal clear EU should look on it's own business and think to their issue rather than bothering us with these non sense declaration.

Actually this is the official stance of the European Union towards the State of Israel and Palestine. All based on the borders of 1967. The bit about the settlement freeze brings the French onboard. The important fact is a unified foreign policy decision accepted by all EU States. We do not have individual foreign policies but a unified one. As for the United States it is more than probable that Obama and Clinton asked the EU to pass this draft so as to put pressure on both Abbas, who gets international support, and Netanyahu who sees the possibility of increased pressure and possibly sanctions to start negotiations. Looks like the jig is up for Israel. and there wil be a two state solution sooner rather than later. As I said yestrerday thanks to Iran the strategic facts on the ground has changed Israel has no choice but to sue for peace.

Can anyone tell me what the "east" Jerusalem should consist of? Does it also include all parts of the town captured from the Jordanian occupiers, perhaps even all what is east from Dereh Hevron street and Gilo neighborhood in the south etc.? We should never allow such a suicidal scenario, never!

RESOLUTION S-9/1 OF THE HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL The Report of the Fact-Finding Mission established pursuant to Human Rights Council resolution S-9/1 was instigated as part of a political campaign, and EU draft itself is a continuation of the rteport and both represents a political assault directed against Israel and against every State forced to confront terrorist threats.

is a highly respectable and respected poliitian and he surely is able to contribut better than Frances Kouchner for a just peace in Israel-Palestine. But, nobody, not Asselborn or anyone else should forget: The Palestinians for sure have the right to live in Palestine. Palestine, i.e. also what since 1948 is being called Israel.

We don't need more calls, we need actions. A huge difference exist between calls and actions. And now, so what? " a way must be found through negotiations to resolve the status of Jerusalem" I really suspect the maturity of such a political statement bearing in mind the waterfall-like statements by subsequent Israeli officials that Jerusalem is the eternal capital of Israel. "Finding ways through negotiations" is an appealing policy but rather a failure one. Things can be fixed once both sides recognize each other, and most importantly when Israel realize that there are millions of Pals living just behind them who need to live and build their country.

who can dictate other countries how to behave and what to do.

whether jerusalem can be palestianian capital but the question is whether jerusalem can be israeli capital. and the answer is NO.

Excellent! As the US has compromised its position badly, peace depends on a strong principled position from the EU. The 1967 border favours neither Israel nor Palestine. It pulls Israel back from an untenable, illegal stance and they shoulkd settle for that. Otherwise it is either back to the 1947 UN border or it is the one state solution.

The FM of Luxemberg needs some illumination. His problem is the same as many other world leaders who don't understand the issue.

palestinians capital? it was these same people who did not take into account the division of palestine to make it israel. now israel is saying no. well thats how israel was formed, and they want to cry foul. this is nothing but a land grab.

The entire EU states can not take a stand they all support, with US objection. This makes them irrelevant.