The Stream

Is the campaign for Palestinian recognition succeeding?

Iceland becomes the first Western European country to recognise a Palestinian state.

In Western Europe, the Icelandic parliament recently passed a measure without objections to recognise the state of Palestine. The vote passed with 38 votes in favour and 13 abstaining.

The chairman of the opposition says Icelanders do not have sufficient knowledge of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict to get involved. The opposition also maintains that the dispute should be resolved through bilateral negotiations.

Iceland’s Foreign Minister Össur Skarphéðinsson said in a UN address that it would be foolish to deny Palestine rights in the middle of the democratic revolution brought on by the Arab Spring.

In this episode, The Stream speaks to Össur Skarphéðinsson, Foreign Minister of Iceland and Michael Tarazi, former legal adviser to the Palestine Liberation Organization.

What do you think? Will Iceland’s recognition of Palestine affect its bid for EU membership? Send us your thoughts and comments on Facebook or Twitter using hashtag #AJStream.