Spain: We'll strive for a Palestinian state in 2010

Did not Great Britain create the State of Israel? Did GB asked permission to create the State of Israel in Palestine? Why can't the EU create a State of Palestine in Palestine?

The Palestinians turned down offers because they wouldn't accept crumbs off the table No one wants to compromise Israels right to a Jewish State and homeland

They do not want a state on Israel land they want one on Palestinian land, West Bank,Gaza and East Jerusalem.

Tell me, how is it that Spanish nationals, or many other europeans (with centuries of blood on their hands) think that they are in a position to tell Israel what it must do. Most of them have never lived in Israel, or even visited. Most of them live in far safer countries, not encountering either war or terrorism in their entire lives. Yet, they feel emminently qualified to lay the blame for the middle east's problems squarely on the steps of the State of Israel. Those who lack experience, or even a knowlege of history, such as Paula, should not seek to lecture us on how we should safeguard our security and existence.

Actually, the German SS was more than one man. It was thousands of eager recruits of young Germans, and later Dutch and Ukrainian volunteers. Putting the Holocaust in Hitler alone is naive, considering he had millions of collaborators. You should study your history better. Secondly, as far as Israel's "actions" are concerned, what is it that the world finds objectionable? They are simply defending themselves from Terrorist attacks. Israel actually shows restraint, considering that it has to fight in crowed areas such as the Gaza strip. Israel is armed to the teeth, if they wanted to kill people wantonly, they could simply unleash their air force and do much more damage to the enemy, keeping their own soldiers out of harm's way. But they do not. In fact, Israel even text messaged Palestinians to leave certain areas of Gaza before it attacked Hamas. Why? To reduce civilian casualties. Name another Army in the world that did such a thing?

When the Lobby stops interfering in US and the politics of other countries then you can criticise others.

Typical ill mannered response. One man committed the holocaust not the whole of Europe. Israel has benefited from the guilt and goodwill from that time and has squandered it. You need to move on and realise that in this, the 21st century, Israel's actions are not acceptable by the vast majority of decent people in the world.Support for Israel is falling worldwide except amongst religious zealots and those who have investments in Israel. As to the rest of your rant, most of it is propaganda nonsense. I have lived through it and you are typical of the easily influenced and weak minded, indoctrinated. I pity you if you support the killing of thousands women and children because they're not "the chosen ones" and the theft of property . Your morality is sadly lacking and you need to take a good look at yourself.

they do NOT exercise ANY sovereignty over WB and Gaza and those LANDS do NOT belong to them. Me MAKING this up? Check the CHARTER of the "Legal Owners".

Where does this Spanish guy get off having designs on creating a Palestinian state? Do Jews tell him what to do with HIS country? Why does the world think it can create or destruct anything within the homeland unless we've led them to believe they can or should?

Neither the UN nor the UK could lawfully give to the zionists what was not theirs to give. And neither can you! That's why Bibibaby insist that the Legal Owners of the land recognize Israel as a Jewish State! Everything is on the table, and rightly so, since the UN vote of 1947 was rigged not lawful, and gave 51% of the land to 8% of the population. I do not think Hamas will be easily corrupted to do the zionists' bidding.

the terror PLO-PA strategy of phases .

It's time for Spain to start compensating the Jews that they expelled from Spain in 1492: all that property, all that wealth, all that everything the Jews had, all stolen, looted and pillaged by the Spaniard. And after Spain gets done with paying compensation to the Jews, they can begin paying back the pitiful Mexicans and Peruvians and everybody else in the new world whose wealth they plundered and whose lives they enslaved. Just as the Jews have a Day of Atonement, Spain should have a Century of Atonement.

Paula, you're an idiot with amnesia. First of all, Europe committed the Holocaust against the Jewish people, killing 6 million, and stealing their property. You are in no moral position to accuse us of either greed or racism. Secondly, Israel offered the Palestinian Authority both the Gaza Strip, and the West Bank (95% of the territory) at the Camp David meeting in 2000. Yasser Arafat walked out of the meeting, even though Israel offered basically what he was demanding. The result was 6 years of suicide bombers, and over 1,000 Israeli men, women and children dead. Between 2000 and 2006 there were over 100 suicide attacks, not to mention countless shootings. These being the facts, why should Israel again gamble with the safety of it's citizens? You can see the result of having a Hamas run state in the Gaza strip. Israel has endured, since pulling out of Gaza in 2005, over 5,000 rocket attacks. Imagine what would happen if Israel pulled out of East Jerusalem and the West Bank?

"he imagines that if someone builds afence in your garden it gives them the right to part of your house ?" I do? Gee. News to me. "israel is not a state that does not originate from a mandate nor that if britain failed to obey the terms of its mandate that it changes israels rights." What ever you need to say. "say after me cj there are no 1949 or 1967 borders it was an armistice line !" Quite. Israel has never legally annexed any territory beyond it's Sovereign boundaries of 1948. Did you actually have a point? Apart from BS?

But Israel does not belong to them, give them your state if your so generous

Stella, your comments do not fit very well with the idea of two states for two peoples. The Middle East conflict has made most of the Jews of the Middle East refugees as well as the Palistinians. I have difficulty in seeing why you consider that the Palestinian refugees should be different from the Germans who were forced to move from Poland and Czech after WWII or the far larger number of refugees caused by the partition of India. If the Palestinians and Arabs had accepted Israel there may have been no refugee problem. But having decided to attack it, it is unrealistic to expect a right of return after 60 years which undermines the logic for two states for two people. I am prepared to accept that the Palestinians should be compensated if the Arab world is willing to compensate its Jews for the property that they have lost (but I will be surprised if I will see that day). Demanding a right of return is just going to prolong the conflict rather than solving it.

...have it next week. All of Gaza and around 90% of the West Bank. Spain should encourage them to take it instead of maintaining their endless dreams of destroying the Jewish state.

The west bank does not belong and did not belong to any state. Period. It is a dispute territory, whose political fate has not been resolved yet. Precisely the peace process that Palestinians and Israel were involved in, was the frame in where the political status of these territories was to be defined. In the absence of peace process the status quo prevails, and Israel settlers will remain in their places. In the meantime No annexation, no palestinian state, and...still economic prosperity for the palestinians of the west bank. Not a bad deal.

Basques want just self determination in order to decide their political future. They dont claim that Madrid is not the capital of Spain. They dont claim that Spain is a illegitimate state. They dont think that Spain should change its national identity. They dont have the type of Hammas racist constitutional letter. More important, although ETA is a criminal organization, they hardly did massive terrorism in Spanish cities. In other words they are decent people in comparison with Hammas. Despite that an independent Basque country does not even hint to threat Spanish security, Spain rejects to accept even the minimum, self determination. Indeed two different cases. Israel is totally right in hamper the creation of a Palestinian state which will has great odds to become a terrorist state.Nothing like that is equivalent to the Basques a liberal productive non terrorist people. Spanish are really shameless.

The hysterical reaction of the usual pro-Zionist posters are a clear indication of their unease that the EU will focus its attention on assisting the Palestinians. The obvious point of contention will be the demand for a freeze on settlements - while sanctions seem unlikely at this early stage, the unwanted publicity on Israeli intransigence will set the stage for this possibility at a later stage.

To all you blind Israel supporters in the US & Canada, you are out of touch with what has been happening in the Occupied Territories. Thankfully here in Europe we have a free press who are not afraid to give both sides of the story, therefore we can give informed opinions unlike the childish responses coming from you people who are given the mushroom treatment by your bought and paid for media. Europe is tired of Israel's racism and greed. You lot can continue to support a state that is becoming void of any sense of morality or any true wish for real peace with it's neighbours.

Spain was a Jewish entity. What about restoring the jewisgness of Spain ?

there is no need to quote the agreement again. if you wish i will do so so . the armistice agreement refers to the west bank. the agreement says clearly transparently placidly and lucidly that no side has political or territorial rights to the west bank. there is no occupation.

Yes. And share Madrid with them.

maybe they need a major distraction to keep the locals from questioning the validity of the EU's financial and domestic policies.

I can't beleive what I am reading. You say Israel should be disarmed. And what do you think will happen if Israel can not defend herself? Do I have to spell it for you? You should "get real"!

It's NOT his dream to get Spain out of it's economic crises. It's NOT his dream to bring work to the millions in Spain who lost their job. It's NOT his dream to fix the Spanish housing bubble, where millions of $$$ where lost. It's NOT his dream preventing Spain going bancrupt. It's NOT his dream to give an "independed State with half of Madrid as it's shared capital" to the Basques........No the thing that the SPANISH foreign minister 'dreams about, the ONE thing that will make him happy is an 'independed Pal state with half of Jerusalem as it's capital'. These EU ministers (he is not the only one as we all know) are supposed to be "EUROPEAN" leaders. No wonder why Spain, Ireland,Britain, Greece and others are practically bankrupt. The ultimate dream of their leaders is a 'Pal state with Jerusalem as its shared capital, NOT the well being of THEIR countries and citizens. Shame on them.

Spain is divided in many PROVINCIAS namely Cataluna,Vizcaya, Gallicia, Andalusia.+ + +Lots more.(These are the one, that seek INDEPENDENCE) These are like the States in the USA. Now imagin that some states in the U S want their independence, what would happen to the POWER of the USA? Will it be the SUPERPOWER it is today? Of course not . The same way goes for the BASQUE REGION,only 33% wants independence not a 100%. Only STUPIDS can compare Spain /Basque, to Israelis/Palestinians's problem. Reason is that ISRAEL is JEWISH, and Palestine is of MUSLIM and CHRITIANS population.Two very different cultures, not as the Basque and Spanish. In fact ,Ken, the Palestinians would like that there is a BINATIONAL State, but common sence will prevail. a reluctant TWO STATES will be declare , so Moratino is right "the quicker the better is for ISRAEL's survival"

Are the Palestinians READY for a State of their own that is de-militarized and willing to form a Confederation with Israel? Many people have their reasonable doubts.

The 1948 lines are what Israel, in a letter to the UN in May 1948 declared as their "frontiers"(borders) Therefore, everything beyond those declared borders are "occupied territory"

That is the way it should be, for the World to see, that we spanish are all for the weaker in this world, and that we all must fight for the cause of JUSTICE, finally the right will triumph, not the brute. We hope that many countries, in this WORLD will help us to achieve our Goal , that is to insure that THE PALESTINIANS do get their independence, not in 1947 , but now after all 49% of PALESTINE was set aside LEGALLY for them alogside the Jewish State.

Cool. Tell them to put it in Spain.

...rights? Nothing just more rubbish from timewasters who dont want peace.

Maybe by 2010 the EU will start to worry about its own problems of trade, finance, and stability. The monetary cohesiveness has already been damaged by Ireland, Greece, Spain, and Portugal. Exotic subjects like Israel and a Palestinian State may be of minor interest.

by withdrawing from the two colonies spain occupies in morroco.they are ceuta and mlleila. the morrocans have been begging for their land back to no avail. mr foreign minister how long does morroco have to wait for you to end your colonialist enterprise?

the hashemites were in the west bank by virtue the armistice lines of 1949(and the british mercenaries fighting for the hashemites) the terms of the armistice agreements state clearly that no one one's interests are prejudiced by the signing of the agreement. the west bank is now under our care until the armistice agreement is made null and void by a new agreement. if our opponents want to share the land we may consider it.let us hear their proposals. meanwhile the "occupation" is only in the minds of those who oppose us.

that if someone builds afence in your garden it gives them the right to part of your house ? israel is not a state that does not originate from a mandate nor that if britain failed to obey the terms of its mandate that it changes israels rights. say after me cj there are no 1949 or 1967 borders it was an armistice line !

I assume they will also bwe working to create a separate state for the Basques as well. The Basque language is different from any other, not related to that of Spain; the culture is different as well. They are more entitled to their own state than are the Arabs.\ living in Israel

Unless you count that Hamas is their leader ( w/ rockets for diplomacy) and that the W. Bank has a different leader. I think of it as a two headed snake. Now, who represents them as a people? http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/images/objects/send.gif

but since you've brought it up, both the Catholic christians and muslims are not now known as friends to Israel. ( the parallels of inhumanity to the Jews is mutual) Both have committed atrocities to the Jews in the name of their 'religions'. When they were good to the Jews, they flourished, when they cursed the Jews, they were cursed. Spain included.

That way they solve two problems in one go!!!

Demilitarized WestBank State with capital Ramallah living in peace along peace-loving Israel should be announced on Monday. We can drink LaHaim in Ramallah on Tuesday.

Its funny how all the right-wing israelis compare the palestinian situation with that of the basque just because its spains turn to point out to Israel that palestine will exist. Ignoring the fact that basque people get spanish passports are treated equally, afforded all human and citizen based rights, with no racist divisions in society, the are not evicted from their homes just so "non-basque" citizens can be implanted into basque communities, and they were not all stored in refugee camps abroad while spain laid claim to their properties.

h: "it was made clear these do not constitute territorial or political borders nor do they prejudice the parties rights on any of the land under contention." That part's correct i.e. the war of 1947-49 did not change the legal rights of anyone in (ex-mandate) Palestine. Which meant that in 1949: 1) ISRAEL had legal title AND control over all territory allocated to "the Jewish State" by Res 181 2) ISRAEL was also in control of extra territory between the Partition Lines and the Armistice Lines 3) Territory outside of the Armistice Lines were not under Israeli control. But here's the rub: territory in (2) and (3) legally belonged to "the Arab state" i.e. Israel had no legal title to any of it REGARDLESS of wether Israeli forces (2) or foreign forces (3) controlled it. That's why the Armistice Lines were not borders i.e. there was, indeed, a "dispute", but it was over the status of (2), not of (3).

Why do you need a Jewish state, I thought Israel is secular, but it seems it is an ethnocracy built on one race and excluding others... this is not something the west and spain can accept, either they will accept an islamic palestinian state, since christians, jews, atheists, communists, etc. are living in this "holy land"...

signed in 1949.it was made clear these do not constitute territorial or political borders nor do they prejudice the parties rights on any of the land under contention. the armistice lines of 1949 are still the reference lines.there is no occupation.

I wonder how long the EUropean Union will allow Israel to operate as if everything is alright vis a vis trade?

Vive le Pays de Basque libre! Vive Catalognie libre! Vive (Morish-Palestinian) Andalusie libre! Vive Ceuta libre!

they call me an "anti-semite" which to me was news "a hater of jews" just because of my views on basic human rights and simple justice, too they say i'm an "anti-semite" something i never knew (and still not sure if i do) for things to which i allude and not closing my eyes to what is plainly true that great divine right once the zionist delight changed like day and night into an ugly human blight and less than divine crime against fellows of mankind and i'm cursed in despise by their divine right

It'll be back under Saracen Rule by then anyway.

Spain; Deal with Catalunya, Basques and give them a state first. And in a few years we will ask you to give back Granada to the arabs. After all they were there before you.

Great idea! So, are the Spanish finally acknowledging their subservient dhimmi role to Islam and are so agreeing both to re-name "Spain",and to then relinquish "Andalus" to be ruled by Palestinians as a Palestinian state? Didn't Bin Laden insist on the end of the occupation of Andalus by Spain?

.. into the sea to be drowned?

end occupation, withdraw from all the non-Sovereign Israeli territory it occupies, stop illegal settlements and return to it's actual borders for once in it's 61 yrs. Brilliant!

Of all people, Spain is the least one to represent Israel. Wasn't it Spain who marched 800,000 Jews into the sea to be drowned? Best bet is to cede Spanish land to the pals. Give them a state right next to the Barques. Spain's representative will go the way of most others who tried this, no where. Havve another train bombing and the PM of Spain will be a muslim.

shouldnt throw stones ! also when spain grants the basques independence they wont be monumental hypocrites ! or turkey the kurds ! the english ,scotland and ireland

We will require full independance and to control our own borders. An airport and a seaport in Gaza. That's for starters. Otherwise forget it and work on a one state solution instead, in which Palestinians will have the same rights as Jews.

The entire Arab speaking region is enormous and vastly empty, Jordan is 80% Palestinian and yet they have no ability to run for government office, and are far more restricted than the Arab Israelis. This is all about violent Islamic intimidation and Spain capitulating to terror. You want to give them Israel, then next it is Spain which is viewed as a lost Islamic state to be regained through war of terror. Don't forget Spain drove out the Sephardic Jews or forced them to convert, they have no validity to unbiased mediation.

The time for the Palestinians to accept the UN parttition resolution has come and gone. They had every right to reject it at the time, as they did; they did not have the right to use force against the Charter of the United Nations by initiating a civil war, which the Yishuv at first fought purely defensively (Morris, 2008, p. 99) and later participating with Arab nations in a declared war of extermination. For the Palestinians to "demand" implementing the UN partition plan now violates general principles of law that forbid a party that has unlawfully repudiated a transaction from holding the other party to terms that suit the later expediencies of the repudiating party (Stone).

Every time some US official talks about a Palestinian state, panic ensues and we hear about giving California and Texas back to Mexico or returning Manhattan to the Indians who sold it or some other stuff. Now that Spain has expressed an opinion, the idea is to divert the subject to Spanish problems. Notice that King Ferdinand's domestic policies and the Inquisition have come up along with more current problems. The theory is that a country has to be Shangri-La, now and throughout history, before it is allowed to have an opinion. Many of the same who bring up these "flaws" in your country or mine forget that Israel unilaterally declared its independence and sought international recognition independent of its neighbors, just as is being proposed for Palestine. Palestine would them have equal footing to at least a certain degree in its border dispute. Those who panic at that thought don't want Palestine to ever have any equal footing come to be except only as Israel decides.

Jurgen Habermas, in criticizing "the highly selective enforcement of the UN's human rights policy," which constitutes a "disgraceful chronicle of failures of a community of states that averts its gaze even from genocide," speaks ironically of a one-sided application of universalistic standards. Would you like everyone just to shut up when this phenomenon of selectively applying supposedly general standards of justice occurs, and have everyone ignore the mockery of justice that is involved when nations selectively preach universal standards of justice that apply to thee but not to me? You need to develop a better bullsh-t detector.

people are sick of european hypocrisy. europe had murdered, colonised and committed genocide throughout its history. europe has no moral standing to lecture israel, the democratic jewish state, about freedoms. many of us would agree to a palestinian state, provided it would be demilitarised and its borders negotiated. israel will not accept any solution that would jeopardise her security and its own independence. israel will never accept the so-called right of return, which would let palestinians flood israel with palestinians thus destroying the state politically. under no circumstances will israel accept any solution that would compromise her basic right to be the jewish state and homeland. thus far, there have been a number of offers to the palestinians for a state, all of them refused.

...The Spanish Foreign Minister said on Friday that Spain, as the next European Union president, intends on working towards a Palestinian state in 2010... This man thinks what he just said will make any different. This is Israel that you are talking about mister...

the palestinians have been given many political rights, including freedom of speech, freedom to vote, freedom to have foreign representation, freedom to have local security forces, frredom to educate, freedom of press and many economic freedoms.

I really don't care if the Palestinians get a state in 2010 or not. But I ask this: Why do so many Israeli supporters have to bring up Spanish domestic issues in an attempt to delegitimize the position of most Europeans (not just Spanish citizens). Is it that any country that presents a position unfriendly to the settlers, cannot do so unless they are perfect societies? If you oppose a Palestinian state (which most of the world favors), provide a clear intelligent argument if you wish to be taken seriously. Bringing up a foreign country's own domestic issues, or invoking anti-semitism is just another way of avoiding the discussion due to a lack of clear arguments. And most five-year-old children and older can clearly see that.

I don't understand these comments comparing palestine to basque country. basque live in spain and have full equal rights they are citizens. palestinians are not citizens of israel. they can't even enter that country. so what is the comparison?!? are you saying you want to unite israel and pali and make one country? The plan from 1948 needs to be accepted in 2010. but with 1967 borders. chalas. that's all spain is saying.

you must have read my mind. the idea the idea that spain with its virulent history of expulsions of jews and antisemitism should feel free to tell israel what to do is beyond the pale.

Here's what I recommend the Palistinians do: pick a site within the West Bank; could be a mountain or a rock or flat land. Declare it "Palitunes" the capital of Palistine. Then hire laborers and brick by brick dismantle the Dome of the Rock or the Mosque that is sitting illegally on Israels holiest site. Declare then to all Arabs that Jerusalem is not to be enter by Arabs without permission by the Israeli government because it is the undisputed and recognized capital of the Jewish State. There, problem resolved. Bibi, you may now anticipate approving of hundreds of more settlements throughout all the W bank.

there is no such thing as political borders. borders must be de jure. the demarcation of borders must result from bilateral negotiations. borders cannot be imposed by third parties.

"A Palestinian state exists in Jordan-for real." Logic tells us you're in-correct.. http://tinyurl.com/y8ewves/myths-mis-conceptions-propaganda/#Palestinian-state-in-Jordan

"the 1948 lines are armistice lines so the west bank cannot be occupied.discuss." A) What 1948 armistice? B) ISRAEL AGREED that JORDAN would OCCUPY the WEST BANK and EGYPT would OCCUPY Gaza in the 1949 armistice agreements C) The Armistice agreements of '67 leave Israel OCCUPYING territories 'occupied' by war during the 'recent conflict' of 67. If 'territories occupied' are not withdrawn from, they're still OCCUPIED.

To whatever country they came from. Problem is that Israel demands ROR based on some mythology that says they used to live in the Holy Land 3000 years ago, while the Palestinians are denied the right to go back to the homes they were driven from a few decades ago. The Palestinians are refugees and are guaranteed under international law the right to return home.

Why all the sudden extreme hostility towards Spain? Yeah some of their leaders can be annoying at times and make naive statements about the middle east conflict, does that mean they have nothing useful to bring to the table? Why not run with it? Have a dialogue with Spain and see what they're proposing before you spit in their faces. Worst case scenario, they fail to propose something both sides can accept, and you move on as if nothing happened. As far as the Palestinians go, don't you guys find it somewhat extreme to demand they can't even have independence in Gaza or the West Bank, even if they lived in these places their whole lives? Ok, no independence for the Palestinians then, just go for the 1 state solution like Spain does with the Basque, I'm sure Israelis will like that option a whole lot more. Geez, someone suggests the idea that maybe a compromise would be nice to finally close a 60 year-old wound in the heart of the middle east, and some of you talk like they're Gestapo

The more nations that strive, the better. Current Israeli leadership do not appear to be committed.

What did the Spanish PM say that was so bad? That he wanted to work towards a Palestinian State? Why so many here are offended by this statement? Do you not support the right of the Palestinians to enjoy freedom and independence?

"The Palestinians should demand from the UN the implementation of the Partition resolution, which includes the return of the Palestinians to the places where they came from in the areas earmarked for the Jewish state." Meanwhile, you complain about Jews living in areas they were cleansed from by Jordan. Why do you complain about THEIR return? Further, the Palestinians are at war with the Jews and have been since 1920. An empty-brain, like you, is in no position to demand that people at war with Israelis be allowed to infiltrate at will.

The political borders are those of the November 1947 UN Partition Resolution. The Palestinians should demand from the UN the implementation of the Partition resolution, which includes the return of the Palestinians to the places where they came from in the areas earmarked for the Jewish state.

"Hypocritical Spain opposes a Basque state, but ofcourse wants Israel to create another Arab country and to force Israel to give away its capital. Go to Hell Spain!" A Basque state in Spain is an internal dispute. Secession. The Palestinian state would not be in Israel or take any part of Israel. It's not an internal dispute. It isn't secession from Israel.

The political borders are those of the November 1947 UN Partition Resolution. The Palestinians should demand from the UN the implementation of the Partition resolution, which includes the return of the Palestinians to the places where they came from in the areas earmarked for the Jewish state.

interpreted as political or territorial borders" from the armistice agreement signed between israel and jordan in 1949.

1 afraid of the arab world. 2 two and a half million palestinians in the west bank. 3 europe is indulging in an old age tradition of sticking it to the jews.

jordan does not want israel to leave the west bank lest its inhabitants join with the palestinians in jordan and cause major problems for the hashemites. should israel leave the west bank jordan wants israel to be a buffer and stay in the jordan valley. the hashemites are very afraid and look on israel as a major ally.we already recused them in september 1970 when they were attacked by syria.mordechai hod the air force commander sent a quartet of mirages over the syrian tanks in irbid.that was enough for the syrians who turned round for home.

Spain has a lot to do first: 1- Give independance ad autonomy to the Basque 2- Return the cities od Ceuta and Melilla they stole from Morocco. 3- Dismantle the Security fence they have in Ceuta. 4- Give the Canary Islands to Morocco which one will offer them to the Palestinian. We won't have to worry anymore about fences.

the palestinians living in a region separated by an armistice are citizens of jordan. since jordan is palestine the latter already have a state.qed.

How about striving for a full moslem state in Spain? They were there and wrongfully ejected by the visigoths/spaniards. After all, they were ruling there "legally." Then again, let's restore Constantinople to the Orthodox Church and Roman/Byzantines. We can play these stupid games ad nauseum...and that's what it is..nauseating. A Palestinian state exists in Jordan-for real. Spain should shut up and be thankful they were allowed to exist after the Armada.

the 1948 lines are armistice lines so the west bank cannot be occupied.discuss.

What a hilarious idea. It's Israel that needs to be disarmed. It's Israel that killed 1400 people in Gaza recently, and thousands more all over Palestine in the last few years. Israel has nukes and the Palestinians have fire crackers. Get real.

The Basque area is Spanish SOVEREIGN territory. The WB/Gaza are Israeli OCCUPIED territory. The Basques are citizens of Spain. The Palestinians in the occupied territories are stateless. Discuss.

The EU has MAJOR chutzpah to get involved int the formation, preservation and security of Israel. After all they took from the Jewish people, they have so much guyvah and attitude to stick their anti-semitic noses where it doesn't belong. Another 100 years of apologies might do a little to mend the enormous emotional divide between the Jews and Europe...maybe. But then again, with stupid nations like Sweden popping off at the mouth like hungry wolves, who knows? Anti-semitism=ignorance & hatred; something the EU seems to be great at already. What a shame (or, should I say "Sham"?).

Basques have political freedom and power in the US State of Idaho. Basque politicians get elected there all the time. So if the Spanish stay in denial of Basque rights, the Basques have alternatives not available to Palestinians. Spain is becoming more sensitive to Basque rights. Maybe the Israeli government should follow suit with Palestinian rights, specifically the right to vote where they live for the government that controls their lives. The Spanish do allow those rights to the Basques without forcing them to move. Why can't Israelis allow the same basic rights to Palestinians that Spain does for Basques?

both trying to take on jobs far too big for them.

who flattered themselves their personal contribution would make a difference. better men have failed.

Unfortunately the US latest effort has fallen flat, run into a wall, so I am glad to see the EU might pick up the slack. I say might because they are known for following through their proclamations. We can only hope that Israel and the Palestinians can work something out.

but is it prepared to guarantee Israel's security in face of an Arab onslaught?

"We need a Palestinian state, the sooner, the better" In the Spanish North African territories he means, There is a fence already,

Ross is assuming that hostile Palastinians will always find it in their interest to use war or terrorism against Israel and that they will use a Palastinain state primarily for that purpose. Very likely, he envisions an Israeli need to invade a Palastinain state to stop terror attacks landing us right back where we are now. These are not wild suspicions, but Ross is assuming that the worst case is the only case. What about the possibility that Fayeed is putting together a responsible government on the West Bank with sufficient security personnel to control terrorists and preserve gains in living standard. What of the possibilty of a reduction in Palastinain incitement on the West Bank? Fayeed is not Arafat, and Ross has to consider whether he's still fighting the last war.

Law vice-versa is an independent nation where you cannot impose your peace and asking Israel to share Jerusalem as capital with those who do not recognize its right to exist safe in it borders like you in Europe. Unfortunately they pretend but are not able to give anything back. Main goal for Palestinians terror groups is destroy Israel. They are feeding daily their children with hate instead to play football they play with guns "how to kill Jewish" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bra53uzgPDk

the great worry of the idf was an hamas state in gaza. actually the greatest threat to israel ,besides iran , is a united front of europeans,palestinian authority that would strangle israel diplomatically. that is taking shape. moratinos received an award by arafat , june 2003 , before he left the midle east as european envoy. Blind IDF. They killed the pali children when actually the main threat is an aliance odf europe, gulf states, PA against Israel.

How come we are such a priotity for everyone new in opffice? Why doesn't he start with founding Basque and Catalan states before advancing to the Middle East? I am starting to believe the Israeli-Palestinian conflict serves not only as an excuse for Arab states who wish to distract from their own problems. By the way, unemployment in Spain is 20%, i.e. twice as high as in the West Bank. Maybe the Palestinians need to help them and not vice versa!

We have been hearing very sweet words all this year, but no real action yet. Justice will come to the people of Palestinian eventually. The world watches and waits.

Spain gets to be the 6mo rotating Presidency of the EU Parliament. The other Duty of President of the Council was taken away from the Parliament. The President of the Council a new semi-permanent position is THE Ultimate President of EU and is now held by Herman Van Rompuy for a few years.

Israel should support a Basque state. A Kurdish state. The Falklands to Argentina..on and on and on

I nominate Barcelona.

the quicker the basque nation gets its independence (2010?) the better/ or perhaps statehood does not apply in this case.

... great that it's being said loud and clear!... ... the more this is voiced, the more likely the implementation... ... then peace can be on the agenda at long last...

"a palestinian state must be totally disarmed. and then you could still not trust them as far as you could throw them" (Please a capital P for Palestine). "Substitute Israel for Palestine and then you have the real truth" So where does this get us both?? I'm up for change what about you?

Working on a Palestinian state...ha! Spaniards, first work on creating a Basque independant state and then worry about other people.

... is a most curious things to behold. Much of Spanish history is a long struggle against both Muslims and Jews. The year 1492, particularly, marks the forceable, and final, expulsions of Muslims and Jews from the Kingdom of Spain. The EU as a whole wouldn't be any better an interlocutor; history has blemished it for-ever. Only nations like the United States, Canada, and Australia, free from millenium-old stains of anti-Semitic bigotry, should be considered for such an important role. MV

Spain" will be our motto.

a palestinian state must be totally disarmed. and then you could still not trust them as far as you could throw them

o exist .

Create a Palestinian state in Spain!

with the demise of the Swedish Presidency has been dashed. Spain is going to work towards a Palestinian State probably picking up the cudgel where Sweden left off. Might be a good idea if Israel charged Lieberman with corruption, so Livni can replace him must become a matter of urgency for Israel. You are bleeding support away.

someday and yet israel still has to deal with rockets and human time bombs? what will europe and the world say then? will they do anything or just say "oh well" like they did in the 30's?

spain foreign minister has mentality of former spain dictator franko who was fascist and hitler alliy. entire eu has the same mentality.

The spanish Foreign Minister Miguel Angel Moratinos is a dreamer, but there is nothing wrong with that. I wonder how he will resolve the issue of Jerusalem. There is no solution Jerusalem cannot be splited, and the Arabs will never give up the old jerusalem. An imposed solution will not work... Good luck M. dreamer.

This is great news for Mahmoud Abbas ! He can sit down and relax. Spain will give him a state. Why should he negotiate with Israel, make a compromise, convice his people, face hamas if he get everything for free from Spain. To me it looks that Spain is not doing the Palestinians a favor. Making empty promises that will lead the Palestinians nowhere will only make the disapointed bigger.

Hypocritical Spain opposes a Basque state, but ofcourse wants Israel to create another Arab country and to force Israel to give away its capital. Go to Hell Spain!

Spain is welcome to make the Palestinian state in Spain where one almost already exists. They can take our place that was taken from us when Spain expelled the natives of Spain the Jewish people from their homes. Outside of that I do not see a Palestinian state formed on Israeli land in any of our life times and even that is too soon!

Let's hope that at the same time, Spain will strive equally hard for the acceptacne of a Jewish State.