Tel Aviv (AsiaNews / Agencies) - A dozen prominent Israelis have signed an appeal to European leaders to support it's request to recognize an independent Palestinian state based on the 1967 borders, when it is presented in September at the United Nations.
Among the signatories, as well as members of the "Solidarity" group, the former chairman of the Knesset, Avraham Burg, a former director general of the Foreign Ministry, Alon Liel, former head of the Civil Service Commission Itzhak Galnoor and a career diplomat, Ilan Baruch, former ambassador to the U.S., South Africa and the Philippines. Among the intellectuals, there is the Nobel laureate Professor. Daniel Kahneman, the former president of the Israeli Academy of Sciences of Menahem Yaari and other authors and scholars of international repute.
The petitioners state that in spite of "mutual suspicion" the recognition of Palestinian "is not only a right but also a positive step and constructively for the benefit of both nations." "As Israeli citizens, we announce that if and when the Palestinian people declare independence of a sovereign state that will exist next to Israel in peace and security, we will support such the announcement of the Palestinian State with borders based on the 1967 lines". The document also states: " We urge the countries of the world to declare their willingness to recognize a sovereign Palestinian State according to these principles. Such a recognition will establish the framework and the appropriate parameters for negotiations on details of the agreement between the two states. " Last April 17 the Israeli Nobel laureates, along with dozens of artists and intellectuals signed a similar petition. The petitioners argue that the agreement will also extend to Gaza, once its leaders have recognized the right of Israel to exist. The Rafah crossing from Egypt , which links the country to Gaza, reopens tomorrow indefinitely.