Össur Skarphéðinsson, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Iceland, and Dr. Riad Malki, the Foreign Minister of Palestine, today formally confirmed the establishment of full diplomatic relations between Iceland and Palestine.
The Icelandic Foreign Minister presented to Dr. Malki a diplomatic note stating that as resolved with the Parliamentary Resolution of 29 November 2011 the Government of Iceland has, as of 15 December 2011, recognised Palestine as an independent and sovereign state within the pre-1967 Six Day War borders.
At the press conference the Icelandic Foreign Minister said that with this recognition the Government of Iceland follows through on its previous pledges of support for the Palestinian struggle for independence. The minister thanked Alþingi, the Icelandic Parliament, for the broad support it showed the Palestinian cause and said it was important that the Parliamentary Resolution was passed unopposed. He said the recognition of Palestine was a matter of justice and reiterated Icelandic support for Palestinian membership of the United Nations.
Dr. Malki said the relationship between Iceland and Palestine is unique and conveyed to the Government of Iceland, Parliament and the Icelandic people the deep appreciation of his president and of the Palestinian people. He said Iceland’s decision was important as Palestine is now recognised for the first time by a Western and Northern European country. Dr. Malki said he expects this to have an influence on other states to follow in Iceland’s footsteps, which in turn would have positive implications on the peace and security of the region as a whole.
He added that 130 states now recognise Palestine which encourages them to move forward in building an independent and democratic state. Dr. Malki said the timing of the Parliamentary decision on November 29, the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People, was a meaningful gesture that would remain firmly in the memory of his people.
(Icelandic government press release – Photos Copyright: © Ragnar Th./Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Iceland)
More exciting news!
Iceland’s Parliament has announces plans to grant 23,000 Palestinians and 10,000 Rumanian gypsies residency visas in 2012, raising our quota to well over 10% of the general population. Tents, painted wagons, and cooking fires will circle Bessastadir as Össur Skarphédinsson welcomes new arrivals to Keflavik wearing silken pantaloons, an eye-patch, and a scimitar.
Early arrivals, understandably mistaking him for a leprechaun, assaulted him with shoes. Diplomatic incident was averted when Ossur proved that, although he is not a deist, he is either uncircumcised or victim of a badly botched appendectomy.
James, violence carries always the seed of more violence. America was once a christian nation that helped those who were knocked down, like Germany after WW II. We are still remembering this. The Bush crusades nowadays brought America to ruin and made Bin Laden the most successful terrorist in recorded history, bringing down single hanededly a super power to become today a teethless tiger which is bancrupt with 100 000 000 living below the poverty line.
I like what Iceland did by recognising Paletine, because it seems there is no progress otherwise. It should be only made clear that the sovereignity of Israel remains untouched and should consolidate behind the borders of the 60s as President Obama advised.
Declare war on Isreal? WoW! Isreal could desimate most countries around it. Isreal has an elite Air Force and high technology weapons. Don’t hate Isreal for protecting itself, blame Britain for putting them there. If Iceland wants to recognize Palestine as a state, than so be it. The Muslims and Jews have hated and killed each other for thousands of years, (just as Christians and other have). Maybe Iceland is taking another approach to assist with peace in the Middle East. FYI. the United States was the first country to officially recognize Iceland, and Iceland turned out to awesome! I lived in Iceland for a few years and loved it.
[…] Source: IceNews, Dec. 15, 2011 […]
@Axel
I agree. The Israeli and Palestinian peace movements have waited long enough for gifts. The difference between epic patriots and peace movements is that peace movements have more enemies in their own country and epic patriots have more enemies in enemy territory. That’s an odd thing.
But if weapons effectively would be a solution to create peace, it should now either be no more people on this earth, or no more wars. Both are not arrived, as we know.
How many times must a man running against a keyhole, until he realizes that he never comes to this way out of his room?
I suppose i have to congratulate Össur Skarphédinsson for his role in this great decision, this is something we should have done years ago.
Bjorn Erikson, Santa just called and said Iceland is not on his Chistmas list, he will be making a few runs to the Middle East instead and drop some cluster packages on Israel, spreading happiness and Christmas spirit.
@Alex
I have not yet Iceland on my waiting list! I inform you that I’m not accepting informal applications. You must fill out and submit the standard form depends on your confession!
I accept requests by Jews, Christians, Muslims, Hindus and atheists. All other denominations have not yet submitted a request.
Yours sincerely
God ;-)
I live in the U.S and most Amaericans are tired of all the Israel Firsters here. I’d like to remind people that the United States is NOT a Talmudic nation and we should not be supporting a racist state like Israel. As a matter of fact I’m pushing for a war ON Israel , we in America would love to destroy and occupy Israel and add another star on our flag. I personally don’t mind getting rid of usless .
wow… hope you all drown in the sea and ice, God damn Iceland to hell.
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