Russian President Reiterates Recognition of Palestine
Russian President Dmitry Medvedev reiterated Russia’s recognition more than two decades ago of an independent Palestinian state.
“We made a decision then and we will not change it today,” Medvedev said following a meeting Tuesday with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas in Jericho.
The Russian president was referring to Russia’s recognition in 1988 of an independent Palestinian state following a declaration of independence made by then-Palestinian leader Yasir Arafat.
“We supported and will support the inalienable right of the Palestinian people to an independent state with its capital in east Jerusalem,” Medvedev reportedly said.
Medvedev was on a visit to the region, which does not include a planned trip to Israel. The Israel leg was canceled earlier this month due to a strike by the country’s Foreign Ministry employees.
Medvedev’s recognition of a Palestinian state comes after the recognition over the past two months by eight Latin American and South American countries.
Israeli officials fear Russia’s recognition will lead to similar declarations by other countries, including China, according to reports.
During Medvedev’s visit to the Palestinian Authority he called on Israel to stop building in the settlements and start direct negotiations. he also promised the Palestinians $10 million in aid.
Russia is a member of the diplomatic Quartet grouping on the Middle East along with the United States, the United Nations and the European Union that is involved in mediating the Israel-Palestinian peace process.
This is a moment of great uncertainty. Here’s what you can do about it.
We hope you appreciated this article. Before you go, we’d like to ask you to please support the Forward’s independent Jewish news this Passover.
This is a moment of great uncertainty for the news media, for the Jewish people, and for our sacred democracy. It is a time of confusion and declining trust in public institutions. An era in which we need humans to report facts, conduct investigations that hold power to account, tell stories that matter and share honest discourse on all that divides us.
With no paywall or subscriptions, the Forward is entirely supported by readers like you. Every dollar you give this Passover is invested in the future of the Forward — and telling the American Jewish story fully and fairly.
The Forward doesn’t rely on funding from institutions like governments or your local Jewish federation. There are thousands of readers like you who give us $18 or $36 or $100 each month or year.
Support our mission to tell the Jewish story fully and fairly.
