The European Union, with Sweden holding the rotating presidency until the end of the year, will consider a draft resolution put forth by Sweden that would express support for the division of Jerusalem and refers to “Palestine” officially for the first time. Israeli leaders condemned the proposed resolution as heavily biased towards the Palestinian narrative. The purpose of the resolution would attempt to jump start negotiations by giving the Palestinians some level of support on the international scene.
The provision is likely to go through a series of revisions due to some European country concerns (including those from Germany and Italy) before EU foreign ministers examine the resolution next week. However, Israeli and European officials have said they do not anticipate the language in the resolution changing.
Meanwhile, the UN Committee on the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People observed today the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People, an event that Israeli politicians equally chastised as biased towards the Palestinians.
So, what does all this mean for Israel? Is this a game changer? Probably not.
Many European countries, the EU as an institution, and the United Nations have all historically purported views that more closely echo the Palestinian, as opposed to the Israeli, narrative of events. For example, lets not forget the Zionism=Racism placard. Or the notoriously anti-Israel Durban conferences. Or the UN Human Rights Council that downplays terror on Israel while singling out Israeli actions.
Nothing new here. But, while the EU reportedly is using the resolution to jump start negotiations, the resolution seems to be having the opposite effect. The Israeli Foreign Minister summed it up abruptly:
“There is nothing new in the European position, but the process being led by Sweden damages the EU’s capability of being a significant player in the mediations between Israel and the Palestinians.”
