This week, Sweden's Prime Minister stated in a speech that Sweden will officially recognize Palestine as a state of its own. This makes Sweden the first long-term EU nation that will recognize Palestine as an official state. The United States has refused to recognize Palestine even going so far as stating that it doesn't recognize the Palestinian government because according to former Secretary of State John Kerry, "That would recognize a state, and there is no state." Stefan Lofven, the current Prime Minister, stated that the only way to create a peaceful two state solution requires equal representation. The United States recognizes the need for a peaceful solution but argued that the only way for a peaceful solution is through negotiations. Even though Hungary, Poland, and Slovakia have all recognized Palestine as a sovereign state, it was before they had joined the EU bloc, so Sweden sets a bold standard by being the first long term member-state to formally acknowledged the existence of the Palestinian state. Sweden has always been seen as one of the more progressive European nations especially politically because of their Socialist policies, and humanist reforms in fields such as same sex marriage, gender reassignment, and gender equality. Sweden provides universal healthcare and tertiary education for all citizens. It should be no surprise then, that they promote the create of a two state solution with emphasis on the word state. Israel and Palestine's situation has been touchy for a long time, and things finally came to head this past summer with formal ground strikes and launched missiles. Hopefully this action by Sweden will start a new conversation on the relevance of Palestine, the need for equality.
BBC
Ynetnews
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