Argentina has recognized a Palestinian state within the borders preceding the 1967 Six Day War, according to a note sent from President Cristina Fernández to Palestinian Autonomy President Mahmoud Abbas. The move follows that of Brazil, which last week also recognized a Palestinian state. Kirchner on Monday sent the note to Abbas announcing that her government recognizes Palestine as a free and independent state within the borders prior to the 1967 war (which follow the 1949 Armistice Line). In 1967, Israel took terroritories in the West Bank, the Gaza Strip and eastern Jerusalem from Jordan and Egypt following an attempt by the Arab states to destroy the Jewish state.
"The recognition of Palestine as free and independent is part of a tradition of friendship and solidarity with the Palestinian people,” said a statement issued by Argentina's Foreign Ministry. The Palestinian Authority opened a diplomatic mission in Buenos Aires in 1996, and Argentina in 2008 established a diplomatic representation in Ramallah, the Foreign Ministry noted. In November 2009, Kirchner received Abbas on a visit to Argentina. "Argentina ratified the irrevocable position for the right of Israel to be recognized by all and live in peace and security within its borders,” the ministry statement also said. “Argentina´s decision to recognize the Palestinian state is part of the desire of the authorities to promote the negotiation process leading to the end of the conflict, and is motivated by the deep commitment to the coexistence of all peoples that is the deep conviction of all Argentinean society," the statement concluded.
Last week, Brazilian President Lula da Silva recognized in a public letter what he called the "legitimate aspiration of the Palestinian people for a secure, united, democratic and economically viable state coexisting peacefully with Israel."
On Monday, Uruguay also said it would recognize a Palestinian state next year. "Uruguay will surely follow the same path as Argentina in 2011," the country’s Deputy Foreign Minister Roberto Conde told AFP. "We are working towards opening a diplomatic representation in Palestine, most likely in Ramallah," he said.
Israel called the announcement by Buenos Aires "regrettable" and said it went against an Israeli-Palestinian agreement that such a state should only be recognized with the approval of both parties. “Recognition of a Palestinian state is a violation of the interim agreement signed by Israel and the Palestinian Authority in 1995, which established that the status of the West Bank and the Gaza Strip will be discussed and solved through negotiations,” the Foreign Ministry in Jerusalem said in a statement, which added that recognition of a Palestinian state also contradicted the 2002 Road Map, which was accepted by all parties involved in resolving the Israel-Palestinian conflict.
