Afrique Asie, May 5, 2011

Ofer Bronchtein calls on Israel to be the first country to recognize the Palestinian state in September 2011

Ofer Bronchtein, a tireless campaigner for rapprochement between Israelis and Palestinians for 35 years, was the first Israeli to receive a Palestinian passport from Mahmoud Abbas, President of the Palestinian Authority, on April 21.

While Benyamin Netanyahu is preparing to try to convince France not to recognize a Palestinian state without a prior settlement with Israel, President Sarkozy declared a few days ago that such recognition could take place in autumn 2011 if the peace process was not relaunched.

Echoing the statements made by the French authorities, and in view of the urgency of the situation and the paralysis of Israeli-Palestinian negotiations, the International Peace Forum declares that it is encouraging Palestinian reconciliation so that Mahmoud Abbas has the necessary political support to sign viable peace agreements, leading to the release of Guilad Shalit and other Palestinian prisoners.

In addition, Ofer Bronchtein calls on the political courage and determination of Israeli Prime Minister Benyamin Netanyahu to respond positively to the Arab and Israeli peace initiatives announced last week.

Press contact:chloe.daudier@benoit-associes.com