December 2, 2009

WASHINGTON, D.C. – B'nai B'rith International is appalled that the European Union will act on a proposal to declare East Jerusalem as the capital of a future Palestinian nation-sidestepping the fundamental process of negotiations. A two-state solution, with guarantees of peace and security for Israel, cannot simply be pronounced by outside parties.

This initiative, slated to be voted upon on December 7, omits what should be obligatory steps in any future peace arrangement. Direct negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians are the only way to move forward on peace efforts. That has proven difficult as the Palestinians repeatedly reject every overture Israel has offered.

Israel has once again taken steps to demonstrate its commitment to a negotiated settlement. Most recently, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called for a halt on construction in the West Bank. The European Union's actions also fail to acknowledge Israel's success in governing Jerusalem-home to holy sites for Jews, Muslims, and Christians.

"Declaring a capital for a future Palestinian state leaves nothing for the parties to negotiate," said B'nai B'rith International President Moishe Smith. "The European Union's unilateral decision leaves out the primary parties to the conflict."

"Jerusalem is the eternal and undivided capital of Israel," B'nai B'rith International Executive Vice President Daniel S. Mariaschin said. "The European Union presumptuously delegitimizes the peace process by removing the Jewish state from the negotiating framework."

B'nai B'rith International, the Global Voice of the Jewish Community, is the oldest and most widely known Jewish humanitarian, human rights, and advocacy organization. For 166 years, BBI has worked for Jewish unity, security, continuity, and tolerance. Visit http://www.bnaibrith.org.

B'nai B'rith International