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An Israeli soldier at the Western Wall after the liberation following the 1967 Six Day War. (file)
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| By israelinsider staff May 13, 2007 |
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Ambassadors from both the US and the EU have declined Israel's invitation to its celebrations this week commemorating the 40th anniversary of the reunification of Jerusalem.
The German ambassador to Israel, Dr. Harald Kindermann, spoke for all EU countries when he declined the invitation, citing the controversial status of Jerusalem as Israel's Capital.
"We believe that Jerusalem's future should be part of the negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians," German Embassy sources told Ynetnews Sunday. "Our point of view is not new and Germany must take this stance in accordance with the rest of the countries."
"We cannot force other European Union countries to accept our opinion, but we can definitely decide for ourselves. Germany cannot take part in an official event of the Israeli government, if this implies that we recognize these borders of Jerusalem," the sources stated.
Shortly after Germany's rejection, it was reported by Israel Radio that the US ambassador to Israel, Richard Jones, would follow suit. Sources close to the ambassador said he would not be attending the Monday Jerusalem Day ceremony at the Knesset, though it is not known if the ambassadors decision was due to political reasons.
Jerusalem's mayor, Uri Lupolianski, was infuriated by the boycott, and slammed the ambassadors' decision.
"Anyone who doesn't recognize Jerusalem as the capital of the state of Israel does not recognize the state of Israel," he said in a statement.
"Israel is the only country in the world that allows other countries to boycott its capital and not [locate] their embassies in the city," he said.
The Foreign Ministery expressed regret over the boycott but still expected many attendees.
"Jerusalem is Israel's united capital. This week we will mark 40 years of reunification. Many guests were invited to take part in the events, including diplomats. We expect them to attend," said the Foreign Ministry's spokesperson.
Despite Jerusalem being Israel's capital, no foreign embassy's reside in the city, and are instead located in Tel Aviv, due to Jerusalem's disputed status as capital.
The city was reunited, with the inclusion of East Jerusalem, where the Old City is located, as a result of the 1967 Six-Day War, and the reunification is celebrated each year on Jerusalem Day.
The Palestinian Authority wishes to claim East Jerusalem as its capital. The current peace plan being discussed obliges Israel to withdraw to the 1967 borders in return for Arab recognition. |
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