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Opinion: Europe, Are You Ready to Stand by Palestine?

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Opinion: Europe, Are You Ready to Stand by Palestine? Opinion: Europe, are you ready to stand by Palestine? Finally, September has arrived and the international community and its institutions will be put to test when they vote for or against the state of Palestine at the United Nations meeting later this month. According to the Palestinian Authority, while more than 122 countries around the globe have declared their positive intentions and support for Palestine as 'state number 194,' the European countries decision remains vital. This is not only because European states are members of the Security Council, but also because their collective or individual decisions will reveal once again to what extent politics can crush moral and ethical values. In May 2010, the European countries of the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development failed the test in the eyes of Palestinians by accepting the state of Israel as a member in the Organization. Will Europe compensate that 'failure' this time? Will Europe vote 'yes' for a Palestinian state on the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem its capital and achieve a step forward for the two-state solution, bringing concrete results for the huge amounts of aid it sends to the Palestinians? Or will European countries continue sustaining the Palestinian-Israeli conflict and the occupation through their silence in the vital moments? A few test balloons have been sent out to check Palestinian reactions to different European formulations. A recent one was aired by French President Nicolas Sarkozy, who urged the Palestinian Authority to accept a state akin in status to the Vatican. Such a proposition demonstrates the EU's love of maneuvering around the conflict and never addressing its roots. Sarkozy's proposal will maintain the status quo and never bring peace to the region or freedom to the oppressed. As a Palestinian youth studying in Europe, who benefits from its values of general respect for human beings and their freedoms, I wish that Europe will this stand up for its own values. So Britain, will you remember your role in the beginnings of the conflict and remember the huge popular support in the UK for Palestinians? What about you France, will you keep your reputation as the land of liberty if you deny the Palestinians' rights for freedom? Ciao Italy, can you forget your citizens like Vittorio Arrigoni and others who sacrificed their life to be in solidarity with the Palestinians? Guten Tag Germany, we understand that whatever you do will not be enough for Israel, however, as a great power how can you accept that an everyday kind of of 'Holocaust' is committed by Israel against the Palestinians? When will you see it is time for more justice in this world and less guilt? Grüezi Switzerland, Palestinians and Israelis see you as a paradise on earth, will you take the time to transform the West Bank from a picture of Swiss cheese full of Israeli holes towards another small paradise of peace? Belgium, do you remember that only few months ago you declared the Palestinians are ready for statehood, as we are waiting to celebrate a happy moment with your delicious chocolates? Hola Spain, we are relying on you to push the EU's reluctant position towards a state of Palestine, we hope we can count on our close friends. Scandinavian countries, you are so generous in your financial support to the Palestinians, will you be generous with your political support this time? Poland, we are waiting for good news to come from your shores. September will be a moment of truth for the Europeans. Voting no will widen the gap between European discourses and values. We hope for a yes, but we fear a no. But our wider hope is that Europe will start to apply its own values to its dealings with Palestine and Israel. Ma'an News Agency - By Alaa Tartir, published 03/09/2011 (updated) 04/09/2011 13:35.
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