Haaretz Exclusive: EU draft document on division of Jerusalem

Israel should be very careful about trusting the present batch of socialist EU leaders or even the Americans. A Tactic of delay is called for until the present batch of Catholic lead Liberal leaders are chucked out by a very disallusioned electorate. Meanwhile Prayer to Yahweh must be the first consideration to get things changed. The establishement of Israel and the release of Jerusalem from the Ottoman Empire was the result of a 2520 year prophecy that was fulfilled on the day right to the hour. The secular Jewish people must not turn their back on the Heavenly father.

If Fatah governs the West Bank and Hamas governs Gaza with whom does Isrel negotiate? If Hamas is in the process then so is Iran? How do we avoid that? What if there are new elections and Hamas wins again in Gaza, and Fatah in the West Bank? How do you divide Jerusalem without going back to walls and barbed wire as it was between 1948 and 1967? Who decided the Pal capital should be Jerusalem? It's been a mainly Jewish city from 1850 onwards. It has never been an Arab capital. Sweden means well, but how well do they understand the facts on the ground?

Your "house" is within a larger "house" called the international community. Check it.

from whence they came (Arabia) so too the Jews: to the city of Ur. Just read your book, it says so.

Throughout much of europe,and for most of it's history,the jews were castigated.They were limited in society,looked down on,and in short,pushed around.Now europe is trying to push them around again,not in europe,but in the jew's own land.If i'm in your house,i have to honor your rules.But if you come to my house and try to make me follow your rules,then it's "Screw You".

rob-since you accept that the old testament says the jews arrived in the holy land,meaning they were not indigenous,then can't you accept that in the old testament the seed of jacob was promised that land by G-d?

How about we divide Paris,London etc..MIND YOUR OWN BUSINESS!

"territories occupied" According to UNSC re 242 http://wp.me/PDB7k-6r

It is not a question of fairy tales. It is question of People who were living there for more than 2 thousand years. Palestinians are the children of jews who were converted to Christianity and Islam!

No israel, No Palestine. One State Solution is the best for all. One Man, One Vote, Equality for all inhabitants. Equal Pay for Equal Work, Equal Water Rights. No Apartheid, No Segregation...A Very True Secular Democrac Let us call it :?State of Holy Land?.

If Israel gives in to the EU's demand it will only be a step closer for palastine's dominance over Israel

Simply, you don,t know what you are talking about. Go to any palestinian refugee camp anywhere in the MIddle East and ask any 4,four, years old palestinian about his identity, and he or she would clearly mention to you the very village in palestine where his or her grandfathers were born and chances are he would explain to you the geograhc descriptions of the village that was erased from the face of earth after 1948 but it still exists and it will exist in the minds and hearts of every palestinian child until there will be a just solution for their cause.Israel has the nukes now but that is not enough to live in peace and tranquility and remember that things change my freind. Look at the aftermath of the cold war, and all the great empires and civilizations that vanished with time. The best bid for israel is a just peace with the palestinians not treating them the way it has for the last 60 years, the palestinians are never going to disappear so don,t waste time and generations .

If I understand your comment about native Americans etc, you think that the 'original' inhabitants are the only rightful owners. mmm, what about the neanderthalers? Shouldn't they own the entire world, including all of Israel/Palestina?

number one there has allways been a jewish presence in the area not a arab one. during the crusades cristians killed over 1 million jews that lived in and around jerusalem. once rome fell there has allways been jews returning. after 600 A.D. arabs have been killing jews to take the land. since WWII when the arabs sided with hitler lost britian gained the lands near isreal. in 1948 isreal was reconized but isreal has allways been. isreal was nearly destroyed in 1967 but repeled the invaders arabs lost jordan gave isreal the westbank for peace and egypt gave the gaza strip to isreal for peace. thats the facts isreal in fact since 1967 has owned both west and gaza strip. so whos occupiing who arabs no right of cliam at all. but no one wants to hear that truth just there dogma. anyone knowing history would know this.

I do not understand what they want even with Jerusalem it is not holy to Arabs...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 Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri Said, quoted in "Sir An-Nakbah" by Nimr el-Hawari, Nazareth, 1952"The Arab states do not want to solve the refugee problem. They want to keep it as an open sore, as an affront to the UN and as a weapon against Israel. Arab leaders do not give a damn whether Arab refugees live or die", -- Ralph Galloway, former head of UNWRA, 1953

I mean they would like to see Israel with a divided Jerusalem. Incidentally under israeli law and coveragfe you are free to realise your religion in East Jerusalem. Not so in the past when run by trans Jordan. Never EVER divide Jerusalem again, Jerusalem was a full Jewish City when Sweden had a speck of dirt called Oslo. When London was run by Pagans and when New York was nothing more then Indian Settlements.

I fully endourse your opinion, my dear. Jerusalem can continue as Israel's eternal capital, in its bigger part. Its small part, some quarters of the East, may constitute Palestine's capital. That means peace with honour for the both neighbour peoples. Luiz Felipe Haddad.

yeah, I assume they made this plan 1.just to gain some tehnology from Israel, otherwise they will blackmail Israel with pursuing that plan... 2. Or maybe Sweden just need more oil from Arab countries... 3. or some swedish politician tries to buy votes from BIG muslim comunity in Sweden... In any case - nothing will happen, EU needs Israeli tehnology much more than Israel needs EU market.

Screw you EU! Why does this bloody European Union interfere in Israels buisness? Does Israel interfere in EU buisness by saying: "give Scotland back to Scots!" or "Create an independant Catalonian State!". It doesn't. So why on Earth interfering in Israels affairs? Shalom al Eretz Yisra'el.

How nice of them. Jews have no rights! They will dictate to those nasty stiff necked Jews. Well blank them. Israel must protect its vital national interests including Jerusalem. This also shows the dangers of relying on third parties what ever happened to negotiations?

Stop stubbornness u guys and give peace a chance, dont fear the future and get rid of ur rotten ideas. For sure many people on both sides are not interested in peace, but dont u forget that once a 2-state solution is implemented, those people not interested in peace will find themselves in situation where they need to think of the future, competing even who to make their country better. Come one people, we're tired of this.

You both seem lost and ignored here. Why would any Jew want to hear either of you? Just curious. About as popular as the clap. clap, clap, clap. Now, take a bow. Glory! Hallelujah,! the Vatican is east.

by the Palestinians as traitors if their homes are under Palestinian control? Interesting how it is all one side or the other. Why cant they decide it makes more sense? Same with Ghajar. Stupid politics which i believe are unjustified anyways are going to lead to numerous massacres.

Jerusalem is a very divided city: Jews and Arabs, Haredi and non-Haredi. It is time to unify the city and let it become the city of peace that it can be.

I've read the EU declaration twice now, and I seem to be missing the part where the EU calls on the Palestinians to declare their acceptance of Israel as a Jewish State living next to them with defensible borders. How do you negotiate with someone who doesn't accept your right to exist? Oh - and the little part about ending 60+ years of incitement against Jews, starting with proper education of their youth. Let us negotiate the bulk of Judea and Samaria, and arrange for reparations for refugees. But Jerusalem is a non-issue. It's the cradle of Judaism, and the center of our culture and religion. It cannot ever be negotiated, and civil war would erupt should ANY Israel government attempt to divide it. Am Yisrael chi.

We suggest that the EU propose to divide one of its own cities, perhaps one in Sweden that has a large Muslim population.

1. In 1948, the UN granted Israel sovereign rights to a specific territory, within a defined boundary. 2. This boundary was further extended by the treaty of 1967 with Jordan. 3. Within the boundary thus defined, Israel has the right to exist. And no one can legitimately claim otherwise. 4. Your own High Court has defined Israel to be the "belligerent occupier" - not the owner - of any territory beyond that boundary. 5. Beyond that boundary Israel does not have any rights at all, except as she seizes them by force of arms. So come off this kick about people being opposed to your right to exist. Even your enemies acknowledge that Israel exists. It is sheer foolishness to argue the point either way. The sooner you wake up from this nightmare, the sooner you will come down from the emotional high that obviously gives you so much anxiety. Wake up and smell the roses!

I agree with you in every particular! All the Palestinians I have talked with for the past four or five years also back a two state solution. So, too, a good many Israelis with whom I have also talked. If there is to be peace, we MUST give this a chance!

Amen! Now add this to what you have already said: Shema Yisrael-- Adonai elohenu, Adonai ehad. And the greatest of His commandments is that you should love the Lord your god with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength. The second is like unto it: :you shall love your neighbor as yourself. For on these two hang ALL of the law and the prophets. "He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but that you should: Do justice, Love kindness, and walk humbly with your God." [Micah 6:8]

Would you divide your home and share it with your neighbours?

You say Jerusalem will never be divided. I say amen to that! But you also betrayed the fact that you want ALL of her. Well, so do we. You may not have one piece of her. You are the one who needs to get out! And take the Waqf with you.

I believe that this is a most elegant solution,as a muslim I recognise Israel's rights to exist and to its stake in jerusalem. However I cant see why the Israelis are so against this solution when their states existence was based on a share scheme to begin with all I think of greed. All Palestinians that I have come in contact with back a two state solution with a shared jerusalem ,Why not give it a chance?

Jesus Christ- Yeshua HaMessiah IS the ONLY solution for Jerusalem & Israel remaining whole. For the GLORY of God to return to ISRAEL... for HIS LIGHT...to draw ALL people Muslims...Palestinian terrorists...to GOD- HIMSELF ! Yeshua IS the light of the world...without HIM there is darkness- deception- lies. HIS LIGHT draws ALL people from every nation....like a moth...to a flame ! All who live in disobedience live under the curse... O Israel... because you deny your Messiah day after day...you are cursed with noise pestilence, threat of war-internal strife-hatred-distention, famine of sin...plague of disease. ONLY the Pesach Passover Lamb's Blood-Yeshua-JESUS can protect you from ALL this misery. You still stone the prophets....messengers Father God sends you... 2000 years later ! History repeats itself...out of ignorance. Jesus said, My people perish for lack of knowledge...HE IS ALWAYS RIGHT ! FATHER GOD said, THIS IS MY BELOVED SON- LISTEN TO HIM ! HUMBLE yourself & REPENT

To divide God's Holy City-Jerusalem WILL definately bring Father God's judgement & wrath. When you reject the SON-JESUS CHRIST - YESHUA HaMessiah....you reject Father God HIMSELF. Whether you be Jews... Muslims...Palestinians... There is NO partiality with GOD. ALL have been told & given the offer of salvation. WOE be it unto all of you...both, heathen & unbelieving Jewish ... You fail to recognize Yeshua-Jesus ...your Messiah-Saviour the ONLY ONE able to save you from your sins- of unbelief, disobedience & disrespect of GOD'S TRUTH ! Adding sin to sin... it is written. You fall into satan's plan of destruction by even thinking of dividing GOD'S CITY !

The old testament indicates that the Jews arrived in the promised land. That would seem to imply that they are not indigenous... So maybe everyone should leave.

Danes are allowed to live and work anywhere they want In Sweden (or anywhere else in EU) as both are Euro members. Once resident they get a vote in elections. If Israel and Palestine ever join the same will apply...

Iagine somebody PROVED that all 3 "great faiths" were "invented" --thus there would be no more Jewish worshippers,Christian worshippers,or Muslim worshippers -they all would abadon religion. With that our of the way-they could easily just blow up the Temple Mount...nobody would care... HOWEVER -there would ALSO be no raison d'etre to continue with ISRAEL as a homeland for jews EXCEPT as still a historical claim as the home of HEBREW language and tribal culture vs. any ARAB language+cultural claims to the place.. SINCE the ARAB presence in the place was a direct result of Islamic expansion in the 7th century C.E. -the ARABS should go back to their original homeland..So should the hebrews -oh that means they ought to stay put -since that land was their original homeland before the EUROS(Rmans)stole it from them then (as Byzantines) abadoned the place for financial reasons allowing the Arab islamics in in to take over... former Muslims would no longer care about PAL "rights".

Israel does not have to listen to what the EU says. coming back to life have you heard of The Davidic covenant,so let us use reason.

Share Jerusalem??? Why not 'share' Constantinople & Istanbul??? What about all the 'Jewish sections' throughout the Muslim World....are these to be 'shared' with Israel??? How did Palestineans become 'caretakers' for Christian, Coptic, Druze, Bedouin areas??? As for Sweden...when will they share 'Danish' Skane with Denmark???

If you are hurt by the Swedes get ready, coming Zapatero.

It is no more valid than the military force on the ground. Unless Israel and the US agree, it will mean more useless deaths.

...that the EU is continuing to insult our sovereignty as a state and the dignity of our democracy. We are deeply concerned that this interference is not the result of the EU's desire for peace, but a direct result of lobbying by states who are in a state of war with Israel and by EU residents who are opposed to our continued existence. We are deeply concerned that the unity and autonomy of our nation's capital is debated in the EU at the same level that foreign politicians debate menial, local policies. We are deeply concerned that the EU is completely denying a foreign nation's right to democratic self-rule, in order to increase the remote possibility that another nation will become democratic.

The facts on the ground,and the natural growth,and Israel security,all chnages daily as Israel wants it to change,now with this draft may be Israel can stop making excuses and adopt peace,there should be no reason for any attacks from Gaza or the West Bank if Israel withdrew from the them,and the palestenians recogonize Irael right to exiset and Israle rcogonize the Palestenians right to exist,and if attcks from palestenians continue after Irael withdrew,I swear as a palestenian i will fight for Isreal,but I know as we all know,once the palestenians have there own state they should have no reason to attck Isreal,look at Egypt and Jordan,they are at peace with Israel,no problims there

Why don't you actually read the Torah. It says that the Jebusite city (Jerusalem) was ruled by the Jebusites, but the Hebrews LIVED there under Jebusite rule. Melchizedek ruled the city in the beginning and was friends with Abraham. After Melchizedek died, the Hebrews were oppressed by the Jebusites. Jerusalem has and always will be a JEWISH city and will remain the capital of Israel AND the Jewish people forever.

When is man going to stop fighting. God will do what he must do. jerusalem is an ancient city since the beginning of time and should be left alone.

They key thing (and its weakest point) is this document presents a package that is foreseen as coming together as one piece. There is no indication in it as to how the EU envisages (and would support) a process leading to the outcome they want. Since Arab countries , whose willingness to declare they will live in peace with Israel (and walk the talk in doing so) is crucial to the success of this kind of initiative, can be counted on to fail to rise to the occasion (Jordan and to a lesser extent Egypt excepted)- the whole thing has little chance of taking off. Realistically, the EU may huff and puff but the bottom line is that they actually need Israel as a reliable, stable, militarily capable ( and democratic) state in the region. They do business with everyone - but it is actually Israel and the enforced stalemate achieved through Isareli power that keeps things sufficiently stable. So they won't really do anything - fortunately.

long live both states. peace shalom salaam

The document is lopsided as expected, so of course it won't stand on its own. It must be fair to both parties, without ommisions for either side. As for Jerusalem as a capital for one or the other is totally ridiculous, that will not bring peace, the better choice for both parties is simple, [ I hate to say it, but] Tel Aviv for Israel and Ramallah for the Pals...

The EU should keep their noses out, Jerusalem IS Israel and always should be. Rights of acess to all Religions should be guarenteed but to me as a Christian, Jerusalem is the Holy City but it is Jewish.

1) What the Arabs are demanding is a return to the pre-'67 borders, which were agreed to at Rhodes in '49 2) They continually ignored those borders and attacked Israel in 1956, 1967 & 1973 So, since the Arabs didn't like the borders in the first place, you may be quite certain they won't like them now, or ever What they really want is Juden Raus

I like this proposal from Sweden. Return to pre-1965 borders, East Jerusalem the capital of Palestine, and support for both the state of Palestine and Israel. Happiness for all.

HEY NYC, LETS DIVIDE THYE ADIRONDACKS AND GIVE IT BACK TO THE INDIANS...200 YRS AND THEY CAN CLAIM IT...ISRAEL 3000 YRS AND THEY CLAIM THEIRS...

no - that is feelgood politics, without a brain ... it's much too late for a two state solution, after 40+ years of occupation there is only a one state solution for all Israelis and Palestinans - sure Israel would like to deny that responsibility, but from the outside world that is the reality the occupation has created and Israel has and will always have responsibility for all people living inside the state borders - no fatamorgana goals -ONE STATE SOLUTION NOW, equal rights for all people living in the territories of Israel. Nothing less, nothing more.

The temple can and will be built on the temple mount next to the dom of the rock. In Revelations John is told to measure the temple and to leave out the outer court cause its givin to the gentiles. Until the time of the gentiles is over at the end of the tribulation. The new temple is built about eighty to ninty feet north of the dome of the rock over the dome of the tablest the small gazebo onthe open north side ofe the temple mount. The dome of the tablets is in fact the exact spot where the holy of holies sat in acient times. Its going to take a strong man the antichrist to set this up providing peace and security for both the arabs and the jews. You watch its coming soon..

I doubt if this will be issued but if it is then it will be a historic and important step forward for Palestine, the EU and Israel. Israelis use military power to defend their weak position. Moreover they do not want peace with their neighbours unless they have a Jewish state covering all of Palestine. Now the world is beginning to say enough is enough. The EU is taking the lead. I would urge Israel to rethink their position and decide what kind of future they want.

All, I discussed what this gives Palestine - a 100% veto on exchanges of territory and rejection of any Israeli claims on EJ as pre-judgement of 'final status'. Also condemnations of Israel on Gaza, EJ, everything else. What does it give Israel? 1. The EU upgrade (expressed at the Association Council in June 2009). 2. Recognition of the 'partial and temporary settlement freeze' and of the 'effort to ease restriction of movement in West Bank' 3. 'A way must be found to resolve the status of Jerusalem as the capital of two states' implicit recognition of West Jerusalem as the Capitol of Israel. 4. Called on Pals to release Shalit. 5. Calls on Arabs to make 'reciprocal gestures'. What is left out. No guarantee of security even w/i Israel's 67 borders. No recognition of Jewish refugees. No limitation of Pal ROR or any Pal claims on Green Line Israel. No condemnation or even rejection of terror.

All, This document pre-judges two major 'final status' issues. Most importantly, it gives Palestine a 100% veto on any change to the '67' lines. Borders are supposed to be negotiated. Is there any incentive for the Pals to come to a reasonable solution? Why should they even give the Jews the Western Wall or the Jewish Quarter of the Old City. This is a big difference from Obama's 'based on 67 borders' wording. The EU dismisses Israeli claims even to Holy Places beyond the Green Line declaring Jewish presence in the Corpus Separatum as illegal and pointing out that the EU rejects Israeli annexation of EJ. In addition, the EU wants to recognize the Palestinian State, continue state building, condemning Israel for almost everything and the Palestinians for nothing. On the other hand, a positive note on the 'partial and temporary freeze' and on Israel's easing of restrictions countered by a condemnation of daring to have checkpoints protecting settlements. Contd

Why not the rest of the world just nuke Jerusalem? The Arabs and the Jews refuse to share it, so why not nuke it? Then, perhaps, one or the other would proclaim that it would relinquish Jerusalem to save it and we would know who was most in love with it. I fear that BOTH sides would rather see Jerusalem destroyed than the other get it. In which case nuking it until it glows and sewing the crater with anthrax would be the best thing. At least there would be nothing to fight over.

They are simply trying to stir things up. This move by the EU is disgusting but so is everything happening in the world stage today. The Globalist need some kind of massive altercation in order to use it for global governance. This is why the US and EU have stalled so much for Ahmeninejad to build up its arsenal and this is why they are supporting this move. The God of Israel will persevere and will judge all these evil men. A dark day for Israel is on the horizon but after the smoke clears they will be left standing. Long live Israel!

Another "new?" proposition for Jerusalem? All this dancing arround the claims of who gets or doesn't get what part of the city. Like any good dog and pony show coupled with smoke and mirrors it is designed to keep everyone entertained until the issue of the survival of the al-Aqsa mosque or the building of the third temple in its place is determined. The debate elevated to this level pre-supposes that the status-quo will remain for now. I am certain if a move was made to destroy the mosque it would be met with the same level of opposition if an attempt was made against the west wall.

Spaniards not being allowed to go to Israel. What will they do? What will they do?

The only claim the palestinians have over east jerusalem is the illegal occupation of it by jordan in 1948 until it's recapture and reunification by Israel in 1967.

Did everybody forget that the treaty of Lisbon started today and that Sweden's opinon is irrelevant.This document just prepares Lady Ashton's first day in business.If there is too much reaction on the document then she can score her first points.Anyway,its the last action from Old Europe towards Van Rompuy-Ashton era.

David, please re-read the document: "If there is a genuine peace, a way must be found to resolve the status of Jerusalem as the capital of two states."

"They don`t recognize West Jerusalem as Israel`s capital." They talk of Jerusalem as the capital of two states. What do you think is missing? Obviously Israel is one of these two states.

Finally, the EU just takes an initiative. The US can't even control Israel anymore who still do whatever they want in an area that doesn't belong to them. Both parties claim Jerusalem and will not ever give their claim up, so only two options are available: sharing the entire city, or dividing it. Dividing it would probably be the best solution. Common sense if you ask me. It would be great for peace if the EU would be able to enforce this. The two parties have shown that they're not capable of finding a solution on their own; therefore one has to be enforced.

Jewish sovereignty over any part of Jerusalem whatsoever is illegitimate. According to the terms of the (regrettable) Palestine Partition Resolution of the UN (Res. 181), Jerusalem was to be an international city under UN control, mainly Muslim and Christian, with perhaps a small Jewish presence to be allowed to tend their holy sites there. No one in the world recognizes Jerusalem as an "Israeli" or Jewish capital; if a zionist entity must be allowed to exist at all, its logical capital would be Tel Aviv.

Sweden's proposal is only a repetition of what international law already says. Israels threat is blackmail. The EU should not listen to Israel, but re-recognise East-Jerusalem as Palestinian.

The German people has an eternal obligation towards the Jewish people. It, however, has also an obligation to stand up against injustice and suppresion. I urge Israel to come to its senses. It cannot continue with its politics of permanent retribution and psychotic will to feel insulted. The entire world disagrees with Israel in this matter. The inluence of the US wanes and the Arab people have higher birth rates. You cannot continue like this.

Jerusalem must never be divided. It is the city of the great King! God allowed it to be taken and destroyed by the Romans because of the Jews will not accept Jesus Christ as the Messiah. Arabs were migrants that came over after the deportation of the Jews. The Arabs can be accommodated but that should be under Israeli domain

Al Quds is Islamic Waqf. If you want peace, get out. You cannot steal our land and then share it

Let's hope this is for real, and let's hope it pushes the Israeli leadership into behaving more reasonably.

Let them dream no nation can divide the Jerusalem or force Israel to withdraw from W.B this land has been historic Jewish land and for ever will be under the Jewish control beside for the Arabs this conflict is not about east Jerusalem or W.B for them it is about the destruction of Jewish State other wise before the 6 days war 1967 the east Jerusalem and W.B was under Jordanian control then why they did not created Palestinian State and instead they went to war with Israel.

To Boruch, who suggests that Jerusalem is the "eternal Jewish capital"... It hasn't been the "Jewish capital" for a few thousand years now. The capital of Israel is Tel Aviv. You can make some claim based upon someone being there 2,000 years ago if you like - you have about as much legitimacy as I would have if I laid claim to downtown Atlanta based upon the fact that my Cherokee ancestors lived there. In modern civilizations, we recognize that the nation in whose boundaries you live matters more than the tribe from which you come. For one ancient tribe to hold on to the idea of a "historical homeland" centuries later is absurd. On the other hand, the Palestinians lived there not too terribly long ago, until they were pushed off the land by military force. It seems to me as if they might have some kind of legitimate claim, no?

Jerusalem was never recognized as the capital of Israel even before 1967. Withdrawing from East Jerusalem will have no impact on the world recognizing West Jerusalem as Israel's capital. It didn't before 1967 and it won't in the future. This conflict is not about land. It's about Arab xenophobia.

Unfortunately, we cannot forget or forgive the anti-Semitism of the EU bloc nations, and frankly they should have absolutely no say on what happens between Israel and the so-called Palestinian Territories. I'd rather have the US be a broker for peace than the damned Europeans.

It's not up to the EU to decide to who belongs land. It will have the same effect on Israel as for Israel to recognise North Irland as Irish rather than British.

Yours is the most sensible and coherent response to this whole issue I have seen. If only our leaders - and theirs - felt the same way.

Hows Barak's settlement freeze lookin to you now , ROFL Well he tryed you crapped on him and someone else stepped up to the plate . And to claim Israel is the only country that has to be "perfect" is so out side the lines after the Massacre of November 5 last year it would be laughable if so many civilian hadn't died

In no intl law there is a call for East jerusalem to be the capital of palis! just like there is none who calls it as israeli capital. so why arabs having the east jerusalem as their capitals?because under jordan they lived there? Jordan was the occupier before 67 so they dont have the right to own the city just like israel and before jordan rule there were at least as much as jew in jeru as arabs. If its not Israels capital how can it be Arab capital arab claim to the city is a violation of international law. none cares why should isr care when they cry 'violation of intl law'? so Isr is not the onlyone who violates intl law! but the only country that they expect to be perfect. well isnt it look like good old european antisemitism?? swiss restriction of minarets is against human rights none say anything! pals have no right more than israelis in jerusalem in the intl law or by historical religious claims. Israel got it by an agressive war against it like alsase loraine (france)

sure there are lots of ommissions that both sides will want to negotiate, ROR, compensation, settlements etc. But this is the first time the general boundaries and principles of a future 2 state solution have been stated clearly. Well done EU, I hope the US follows suit.

The document says: "If there is a genuine peace, a way must be found to resolve the status of Jerusalem as the capital of two states." That can be accomplished with Israeli sovereignty over West Jerusalem, Palestinian sovereignty over most of East Jerusalem (most of which is Arab villages that weren't even part of Jerusalem until the 1967 annexation), with some type of shared rule over the Old City. This seems like a reasonable document to me.

The world needs to see peace in the Middle East. Since Jerusalem is the epicenter of three great faiths, it seems wise and practical to share the city, its legacy, and its symbolic heritage. Since large numbers of members of two of those faiths live in Jerusalem and in the surrounding lands, and have for centuries, a peaceful solution must be found. The history of this land goes back thousands of years. More relevantly, the past several centuries have seen this land inhabited by both Muslims and Jews. How realistic is it to argue over claims going back fifteen centuries or more? It must be acknowledge that this land has long been home to Muslims and their faith. Muslims and Jews BOTH have centuries-old claims to the land and long-standing spiritual ties to the city. Surely two peoples of great faith and wisdom can acknowledge each other's rights and needs in a peaceful way?

Looks like a very biased document to me. I notice they do not recognize West Jerisalem as Israel's capital.

Let them go ahead. Israel should immediately recognize the Basque State and The state of Catalonia. Any Spanish passport holder wit ch does not include the Basque and Catalan languages should be deemed invalid, illegal and the passport holder turned back at Israeli point of entry.

There are clearly major issues that are not addressed. ROR being the stickiest. This is the only problem where I have difficulties seeing a just solution. Any ideas? Thanks.

good to read this document. As it is clear for all the two state solution has to forced and implemented from outside. time is running out and this is clear in front of the concerned people of the world.

The Torah explicitly states that the Israeli people, not state, first brutally conquered Hebron then Jerusalem. Curious, who founded and built Jerusalem b4 we Israelites occupied it? Also, what were the city borders when we Israelites occupied it then, and in 1967? Are we not a Just and Moral people? Let's be fair, just and reasonable!

and God bless the "right of return", UNSCR 194.

weel, just put some on Netanyahu and he will probably cave in , like he has done in every other issue up til now.

A shared Jerusalem as capital for the two nations.

While I agree that there are some serious flaws in the document as Jon pointed out, this does go a long way toward embracing both peoples, both sets of needs, which must happen if there is to be peace. I hope Israel will come back with a solid additions to this proposal and build on the intentions that are reflected here.

Finally the EU is fully backing the US.

There are plenty omissions but it's a start. Now watch the hard-linerson both sides dig their heels in and promise destruction and death instead of peace.

It is a historical and an eternal Jewish capital. Arabs came to that area centuries after the desctruction of the 2nd Temple. Let they divide Stockholm if they want.

1) no mention of the palestinian's educational curriculum with it's incitement to violence, racism, predjudice and genocide. 2) no mention of the removal from the charters of both the PA and hamas calling for the destruction of israel. 3) no mention of the need to stop and punish all violence including mortars and rockets coming from gaza and directed against innocent israeli towns and civilians.(the siege should not be lifted until this condition is met fully) 4)no mention of israel being recognized historically and in the present as the homeland for the jewish people. these omissions hurt chances for peace and in the saw way that obama hurt chances for peace with his uneven treatment of israel vis a vis natural growth in some settlements...there WILL be land swaps in any final deal, both sides have acknowledged this, so a total freeze on natural growth is some areas was a really stupid position for obama to begin from..the pals pounced on it and have used the naive obama