Paraguay recognizes 'Palestine' with pre-1967 borders

Move adds to number of S. American countries who have recognized Palestinian statehood; comes ahead of summit with Arab leaders in Peru.

By ASSOCIATED PRESS, JPOST.COM STAFF
Palestinian flag 311 AP (photo credit: Associated Press)
Palestinian flag 311 AP
(photo credit: Associated Press)
Paraguay — Paraguay has joined a string of South American nations in recognizing an independent Palestinian state.
A declaration from the government of Paraguayan President Fernando Lugo on Friday also recognizes "Palestine's" borders predating the 1967 Six Day War.
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Paraguay issued its declaration Friday, ahead of a mid-February summit in Peru of South American and Arab leaders.
Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil and Ecuador all made similar proclamations in recent weeks.
Chile and Peru also recognized a sovereign Palestine. But they said the border issue must be worked out between Israelis and Palestinians.
Earlier in the week, Ireland upgraded its relations with the Palestinian Authority, but did not go so far as to recognize a Palestinian state. The move was slammed by Israeli officials.
It has been widely reported that Israel fears Spain, Belgium, Ireland and Scandinavian countries are next in line to join the South American countries in recognizing an independent Palestinian state unilaterally.
According to the report, Jerusalem officials estimated that Europe would then be used as a tool by the United States to place pressure on Israel.


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