Argentina Recognizes Palestine as an Independent Country

Argentina follows Brazil in announcing support for the Palestinian state.

Officials in Argentina suggest that several more Latin American nations will follow in supporting Palestine.

(BUENOS AIRES) - Argentina's support for a free state in Palestine, and official recognition of Palestine's pre-1967 borders, was announced Monday. It is a step that clearly reflects a growing frustration over the lack of progress in peace talks with Israel.

Argentine Foreign Minister Héctor Timerman said during the Monday press conference, "The decision is part of the Argentina willingness to promote the process of resolving the conflict"..

Brazil made the same decision Friday, sending a message to the president of the Palestinian National Authority Mahmoud Abbas.

"The Argentine government shares with the members of Mercosur that it is time to recognize the Palestinian state as free and independent," Timerman said.

He continued by saying, "Our country has always supported the efforts of the community to find a solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict."

Timerman says the decision was reached after two months of United Nations meetings between President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner and Mahmoud Abbas.

Argentine Foreign Minister Héctor Timerman

Cristina Fernandez informed Mahmoud Abbas, Palestinian President; of the decision,

Argentina has issued statements regarding a deep frustration based on a failure to reach the goals established during the 1991 peace talks in Madrid and the Oslo Accords of 1993.

"The time has come to recognize Palestine as a free and independent state," Timmerman said.

It is also important in this official's eyes, that Argentina "ratifies its irrevocable position in favor of the right of Israel to be recognized by everyone and to live in peace and security within its borders."

Timmerman says his country has a sincere interest in a genuine peace process. "Argentina's decision to recognize the Palestine state is based in the desire of its authorities to favor the process of negotiation aimed at ending the conflict."

Palestinian Foreign Minister Riad Malki told The Associated Press Monday that he expects Uruguay and Paraguay to follow suit by recognizing Palestinian statehood over the coming days. He believes Bolivia and Ecuador will follow.

"It is really symbolic but it is important because the more countries that recognize the Palestinian state, the more pressure this will put on countries that are hesitant and on the peace process. If Israel keeps refusing to recognize the Palestinian state when other countries do, this will make a difference," Malki said.

Israel: “Argentina’s statement affects in no way our relations”

Israel’s ambassador in Buenos Aires Daniel Gazit

Israel’s ambassador in Buenos Aires Daniel Gazit said Argentina’s recognition of Palestine as an independent and free state does not affect relations between the two countries.

“The statement affects in no way our relationships. Relations between Argentina and Israel are very good. We also want good relations with the Palestinians,” said the Ambassador.

Gazit said: “It is also our desire to have a free and independent Palestinian state living side by side in peace with Israel.”

“Of course we have our differences with the Palestinians. The only way to reach a solution for the conflict for everyone to want to negotiate, and to do so without preconditions, “said the Israeli ambassador.

Palestinian demands that Israel leave the occupied Cisjordan and Jerusalem, land taken in 1967 during the Six Day War.

Special thanks to Momento24 News and the Associated Press.

Sources:

Israel: “Argentina’s statement affects in no way our relations”

Argentina recognizes Palestine as an independent country

Argentina: Palestine is free and independent state - The AP