Ecuador recognizes state of Palestine

Ecuador recognizes state of Palestine

2010/12/25

Ecuador has become the fifth South American country to formally recognize an independent Palestinian state. President Rafael Correa on Friday signed "the Ecuadoran government's official recognition of Palestine as a free and independent state with 1967 borders," Ecuador's Foreign Ministry said in a statement, according to AFP. The statement said Ecuador's decision to recognize a Palestinian state "vindicates the valid and legitimate desire of the Palestinian people for a free and independent state" and will be a contributing factor to a peaceful coexistence in the Middle East. The border mention refers to the boundaries that existed before 'Israel' captured East of al-Quds ('East Jerusalem'), the West Bank, and the Gaza Strip in the 1967 Six-Day War. Earlier this month, Brazil, Argentina, Bolivia and Uruguay recognized Palestine as an independent state. Their move drew harsh condemnation from Israel and was opposed by the US House of Representatives as well. The House on December 15 unanimously approved a resolution opposing unilateral declaration of a Palestinian state. The resolution urged the White House to "deny recognition to any unilaterally declared Palestinian state and veto any resolution by the United Nations Security Council to establish or recognize a Palestinian state outside of an agreement negotiated by the two parties.”