AJC Chicago's Letter to EU-member Chicago Consulates

In advance of a draft document submitted by Sweden for consideration at the EU in early December, AJC Chicago sent the following letter to all EU-member Consulates in Chicago.  Click here to read more about AJC Chicago's International efforts. 

December 3, 2009

Dear Consul General:

The American Jewish Committee is profoundly concerned about the draft document on the Middle East submitted by Sweden for discussion next week by the Council of the European Union.

While expressing “support for the United States’ efforts to resume negotiations on all final status issues, including borders, Jerusalem, refugees, security and water,” the draft document contains provisions that would clearly prejudice the outcome of such negotiations. Such as the provision about “a two-state solution with an independent … state of Palestine, comprising the West Bank and Gaza and with East Jerusalem as its capital….”

Indeed, even as it expresses support for a comprehensive peace based on the Madrid principles and the Roadmap, the document runs contrary to the principle of direct negotiations stipulated both in the letters of invitation to the Madrid Peace Conference and in the Roadmap.

The draft states that “the European Union will not recognize any changes to the pre-1967 borders other than those agreed by the parties.” But it does not apply the same criterion to a possible unilateral declaration of an independent Palestinian state, citing only the EU’s “commitment to support further efforts and steps towards Palestinian statehood and to be able, at an appropriate time, to recognize a Palestinian state.” And while expressing commitment for a Palestinian state, the document says nothing about the imperative that the Palestinians and other Arab parties recognize Israel as a Jewish state. Nor does the draft document mention Palestinian terrorism – and the Palestinian Authority’s commitment under the Roadmap to combat it.

Our organization has long supported a peaceful settlement of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict based on two states living side-by-side in peace and security. But such a solution can not be achieved by one-sided documents that ignore the realities on the ground.

The Palestinian Authority, as you know, is divided today into rival entities: the one in Gaza ruled by Hamas, a terror organization sworn to Israel’s destruction; the other in the West Bank that, while committed to a negotiated settlement, cannot command popular support. It is the lack of a unified Palestinian leadership willing and able to successfully pursue peace that is the main obstacle to progress, not Israel’s presumed “intransigence.”

We respectfully call on your Government not to support the document currently before the Council of the European Union.

Respectfully,

Lawrence M. Adelman
President, AJC Chicago