Denmark's parliament rejected a proposal to recognise a Palestinian state on Tuesday, backing the government's view that the necessary conditions were not in place, despite a decision by Spain, Ireland and Norway to endorse independence.
Lars Lokke Rasmussen © Mena Today
Denmark's parliament rejected a proposal to recognise a Palestinian state on Tuesday, backing the government's view that the necessary conditions were not in place, despite a decision by Spain, Ireland and Norway to endorse independence.
Israel, which has found itself increasingly isolated after more than seven months of conflict with the Palestinian militants of Hamas, which rules Gaza, has reacted furiously to the European moves.
The Danish bill had been proposed by four left-wing parties.
Sascha Faxe, member of parliament for The Alternative, said recognising a Palestinian state was the only way to achieve lasting peace in the Middle East.
"The vast majority of Danish politicians agree that there will be no lasting peace in the Middle East without a two-state solution," she said in parliament, adding that she saw recognition as a way to give rights to ordinary Palestinians.
Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen had previously said the Danish government could not recognise a Palestinian state because it did not have a single functioning authority or control over its own territory.
Rasmussen did not take part in Tuesday's debate but has said he hopes Denmark will one day be able to give its backing to a Palestinian state.
Reporting by Louise Breusch Rasmussen
The Israeli military forced around 1,200 Palestinians to leave their homes in Hebron in the occupied West Bank, a Palestinian official said on Saturday, a day after a Palestinian attack killed two Israeli soldiers.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Friday that a “very big surprise” awaits the Palestinian Authority, hours after ordering a major military operation in the occupied West Bank following a deadly attack on Israeli soldiers.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced on Friday that a large-scale military operation in the occupied West Bank is on the way, after two Israeli soldiers were killed in a shooting attack in Hebron just days before Tuesday’s general election.
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