New York, NY, December 22, 2015 … The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) today expressed disappointment with the Greek Parliament’s approval of a resolution calling on the Greek government to recognize a Palestinian State.
On Tuesday, the parliament, with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in attendance, voted on a nonbinding resolution urging the government to “promote appropriate procedures for the recognition of a Palestinian state and every diplomatic effort for the resumption of discussions for peace.”
“The Greek parliament’s premature resolution supporting the recognition of a Palestinian state is deeply disappointing and will do nothing to promote constructive Israeli-Palestinian engagement,” said Jonathan A. Greenblatt, ADL CEO. “As with other instances of legislative bodies and government recognizing a Palestinian state, this step only serves to undermine the real path toward a solution to this decades-old conflict - direct negotiations between the parties.”
“Prematurely embracing a Palestinian State only serves to alienate Israelis without providing any real benefit to the Palestinians on the ground,” said Mr. Greenblatt. “It would have been more appropriate and productive for the Greek parliament to condemn the ongoing wave of Palestinian violence and incitement against Israel and urge a resumption of direct talks. Symbolic acts such as this one are no substitute for meaningful, direct negotiations, which Mr. Abbas refused to seriously engage in”
ADL has previously spoken out against similar initiatives, including those by the Vatican and the European and Spanish Parliaments.