EU Decision Requires PA-Israel Negotiations Over Jerusalem

by Eric on December 8, 2009

There was a threat to Jerusalem last week when the European Union, led by Sweden, voted on whether or not to recognize Jerusalem as a joint capital city shared by the Palestinians and the Israelis.  The vote was not optimal, but the agreed on resolution was not a worst case scenario.

Rather than simply make a rash decision to call Jerusalem a joint city, the EU ministers agreed that Jerusalem, like many other issues, needs to be decided by negotiation.  No unilateral decision will determine its future.

The PA was happy with the decision, as it did not simply recognize Israel as the holder of Jerusalem.  Israel was not extremely upset, as it did not make any declaration challenging sovereignty.  Rather, it was a very middle of the road do nothing resolution.

So, it is really like nothing happened, as it just asked people to do what they were already doing.

About the author

Eric Eric is the founder and editor of IsraelSituation.com. He has been to Israel many times including a semester at Hebrew University of Jerusalem. He is the former president of the Israel advocacy group at the University of Colorado and teaches about Israel and the Media at a local religious school.

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  • Joel

    Nevertheless, it’s important that the world is changing it’s stance about how to deal with the Israel/Palestine question. Instead of making unilateral declarations about what should be or shouldn’t be, maybe the world is understanding that the only path to peace is one created by those who live there.

  • http://www.israelsituation.com/ Eric

    Joel, its refreshing isn’t it? The thought that world powers might not impose their ways on other nations. It might be a small step in something much larger? What do you think?

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