First big step to unilateral Palestinian declaration of independence as Brazil formally recognises Palestinian state

Robin Shepherd
robinshepherdonline.com
04 December '10

Brazil, the leading power in Latin America, has formally recognised a Palestinian state on 1967 lines. News agencies reported that the announcement was made on the Brazilian foreign ministry’s website. This is a matter of the profoundest significance since Palestinian leaders have been increasingly vocal in recent weeks and months in saying they will make a unilateral declaration of independence in the middle of 2011 and then seek recognition through the United Nations. Now that one of the most important emerging economies in the world –Brazil is one of the much vaunted BRIC countries (Brazil, Russia, India, China) tipped by many to become a major world power in the 21st century — has made such a move, the risk of an avalanche is very real.

It needs to be understood why this is so dangerous, both to Israel and to the cause of peace. First, the Brazilian move, if copied by many others, all but scuppers any hope of meaningful peace talks. Why would the Palestinians make concessions or negotiate for something the world is going to give them anyway? Second, for Israel the 1967 lines are militarily indefensible and no Israeli government could ever agree to them as the borders of a Palestinian state. Recognition along 1967 lines would therefore place Israel in a state of perpetual conflict with the Palestinians and the international community.

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