The Party of the European Left welcomes the initiative of Mahmoud Abbas, president of the Palestinian Authority, to be recognized by the United Nations General Assembly as a "non-member observer state".

We urge the European governments to support this nonviolent and diplomatic struggle for a just solution to the conflict. After nearly 20 years of unsuccessful peace talks and continued illegal land grabbing by Israeli settlers, it sounds like utter mockery if states like the US, Israel and Germany argue that a diplomatic upgrade of Palestine might be an obstacle to peace talks.

No one who is really interested in a just solution and who accepts the right of the Palestinian people to self-determination can oppose this symbolic but important step. After the international community's silence with regard to the bloody bombing of Gaza, it is essential to finally show international solidarity and regard for international law. We support the Palestinians in their struggle for full recognition as a member state and we hope that a vast majority in the General Assembly will follow this course.

Party of the European Left
29 November 2012