Colombian president, Juan Manuel Santos CalderonApril 5, 2011 - Colombian president, Juan Manuel Santos Calderon, informed the World Jewish Congress on Wednesday that as a “matter of principle,” his government would not recognize any unilateral declaration of statehood by the Palestinian Authority (PA.)
Colombia has not joined the parade of Latin American nations that have recognized the Palestinian Authority as a sovereign country over the past year. World Jewish Congress President Ronald Lauder said that “we value your friendship and courage for Israel and the Jewish people, we also appreciate that you have withstood pressure from fellow Latin American leaders to prematurely recognize a Palestinian state.”
In the past half-year, a string of Latin American countries, mostly with left-leaning governments, including Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay and Guyana, have recognized Palestinian statehood. Chile, which has a right-leaning government, has also recognized Palestinian statehood with caveats.
The right-leaning government of Colombia is considered to be a staunch supporter of the US in the region and has close ties with Israel. Latin American Jewish Congress President Jack Terpins thanked Bogota for fighting the growing influence of Iran, which is a close friend of Colombia’s neighbor and occasional rival Venezuela.
Santos emphasized that the only path to peace in the Middle East was through direct negotiations between Israel and Palestine.
Source: todaysnewsline.com
Read also: WJC hails Colombia over opposition to Palestinian statehood
Colombia and President Santos will be blessed by God with this courages and rational decision, and therefor we give him (and the Colombian Government) our Pro-Israël Award!
