Tuesday December 01, 2009 11:08 by Saed Bannoura - IMEMC News

Sweden has introduced a resolution to the European Union to be considered next week in Brussels that would call for the recognition of East Jerusalem as the capital of any future Palestinian state. Israeli officials immediately condemned the proposal and said that it will harm negotiations between Israeli and Palestinian officials.

But Palestinians, who have little faith in 'negotiations' in which Palestinian rights are ignored, have welcomed the measure by the EU.

The move comes after Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu made the controversial statement that "united Jerusalem will always be the capital of Israel", effectively denying any claim by the indigenous Palestinian population to the city.

The Israeli Foreign Ministry issued a statement that the measure should have included a recognition of West Jerusalem as the capital of the Israeli state.

The European Union would not comment on the proposal, as it is still in draft form and it is the body's policy not to comment unless all member countries are able to agree on a proposed measure.

Sweden did comment last week that it would be willing to recognize a Palestinian state if Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat were to go ahead with the declaration. Swedish Foreign Minister Carl Bildt stated, "We would be ready to recognize a Palestinian state but conditions are not there as of yet."

Swedish MP: Gaza biggest prison in the open air

[ 30/11/2009 - 10:00 AM ]

STOCKHOLM, (PIC)--

A Swedish green party MP has criticized the ministry of immigration for deciding to deport Palestinian refugees to Gaza Strip, warning that the Strip under the Israeli siege has turned into the biggest prison in open air.

The opposition MP described the step as unacceptable and non-humanitarian.

Writing an article in the Swedish newspaper Aftonbladet a few days ago, the lawmaker was commenting on the ministry's decision regarding a Palestinian family with two children who are threatened with deportation to Gaza.

The MP, the daughter of a Palestinian father and a Swedish mother, said that Gaza is suffering from a humanitarian catastrophe, explaining that it was under siege with 80% of its population living under the poverty line and depend on daily assistance.

She said that the Israeli aggression last winter had destroyed Gaza's economic infrastructure and caused an environmental disaster while the siege was preventing the reconstruction of Gaza schools and primary health care units along with other sectors.

The Gaza people live under daily threat of Israeli attacks, she said, adding that 80% of children in Gaza were traumatized as a result of the constant attacks with no place to escape.