New York, NY. . . Leaders of the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations today expressed concern over reports that the Parliament of the Republic of Slovenia is scheduled to consider officially recognizing a Palestinian state. In a letter to Prime Minister Miro Cerar, the leaders noted there is no justification for recognition and urged the Slovenian government not to move forward at this time to recognize a Palestinian state.
Stephen M. Greenberg, Chairman, and Malcolm Hoenlein, Executive Vice Chairman/CEO, of the Conference of Presidents, said, “We were dismayed by reports that the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Slovenian Parliament is scheduled to consider official recognition of a Palestinian state and we are alarmed that Slovenia’s Foreign Minister reportedly favors his country taking action now.
Recognition of a Palestinian state now is at least premature and could be very counterproductive. It serves only to embolden the Palestinian Authority to continue pursuing a misguided policy designed to evade its responsibility to negotiate a resolution of the conflict with Israel.
Instead of persuading the Palestinians to re-engage with Israel recognition undermines, rather than promotes, the only meaningful approach to solving the decades-long conflict, which is through direct negotiations between the parties and will only result in prolonging the absence of peace.
Slovenia’s current policy toward Palestinian statehood is consistent with prevailing international law and norms, and the overwhelming international consensus supporting a negotiated resolution of the conflict between Israel and the Palestinians.
In the next several days, we will be meeting with Ambassador Darja Bavdaž Kuret, Slovenia’s Permanent Representative at the United Nations, to convey our concerns directly to her. We hope Slovenia will choose to continue to play a constructive role by encouraging President Abbas to come to the table.”
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