December 25, 2015 Equilibrio Informativo
For the full media release click here
Greek Parliament Recommends Recognition of Palestinian State
Pablo Novarro
Dic 25, 2015
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The Greek parliament approved a resolution on Tuesday, calling on the government to recognize the state of Palestine.
Abu Ali said the Arab League was urging parliaments worldwide to recognise the Palestinian state.
Tsipras announced Monday after talks with Abbas that Greece would no longer refer on official documents to the Palestinian Authority, but rather to Palestine.
But no European Union heavyweight has yet made the move.
The decision has an advisory role for the government to officially recognize Israel.
He also said that due to the Israeli occupation, the twin cities of East al-Quds (Jerusalem) and Bethlehem have been separated for the first time in over 2000 years of Christianity, resulting in “incalculable damage” to the society, culture, and economy of Palestine.
Mahmoud Abbas arrived in the Greek capital on Sunday and will meet with Greek President Prokopis Pavlopoulos and Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras on Monday and is expected to address the Greek Parliament.
Abbas said that this Christmas comes during a particularly hard period.
Dr Dvir Abramovich, Chairman of the ADC, issued the following statement: “We are surprised and disappointed by this counterproductive resolution which further internationalises the conflict and which disincentives the Palestinians from returning to the negotiating table which is the only way forward”.
In Ramallah, the headquarters of the Palestinian Authority, Saeb Erakat, the number two of the Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO), welcomed the resolution.
And since 2010, Greece’s relations with Israel have only grown warmer.
Abbas then took to the podium to call for universal recognition of Palestine.