Luxembourg would like to see its fellow European Union states recognize a Palestinian state in response to the recent US declaration that it no longer views Israeli settlements in Judea and Samaria as illegal under international law.
According to a Sunday report on Channel 13 News, Luxembourg Foreign Minister Jean Asselborn sent a letter to new EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell and his EU counterparts, saying the only way to save the two-state solution was to create "a more equitable situation" between Israel and the Palestinians.
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"It is time to start a debate within the European Union on the opportunity of a recognition of the State of Palestine by all its Member States," Asselborn wrote. "The recognition of Palestine as a state would neither be a favor, nor a blank check, but a simple recognition of the right of the Palestinian people to their own state.
"This in no way would it be directed against Israel," he stressed, adding, "Indeed, if we want to contribute to solving the conflict between Israel and Palestine, we must never lose sight of Israel's security conditions, as well as of justice and dignity for the Palestinian people."
Israeli officials expressed concern over the move and were reportedly scrambling to stop the measure being adopted.
However, Jerusalem officials and EU diplomats said it was "extremely unlikely" that all the European states would agree to back Luxembourg's bid.
As a joint move by the 28-nation bloc, an EU recognition of a Palestinian state requires a consensus vote.
As of July 31, 2019, 138 countries have recognized a Palestinian state. World powers the United States, United Kingdom, France and Germany have not made such a move.
Israel has long argued that recognizing a Palestinian state before a peace deal is finalized will harden the Palestinians' negotiating positions, making it more difficult to reach a true peace treaty.
Last week, 11 EU countries, plus Latin American powers Brazil and Colombia, voted for the first time against a US resolution mandating a special "Division for Palestinian Rights" inside the UN Secretariat, devoted to promoting the Palestinian narrative against Israel.
