Iceland becomes first Western European country to recognize Palestinian state

[Jefferson23]

Icelandic parliament approves measure on United Nations' annual day of solidarity with the Palestinian people; Palestinians reaffirm bid for UN membership.
By Reuters and The Associated Press

Iceland's parliament voted on Tuesday in favor of recognizing the Palestinian Territories as an independent state, the first Western European country to do so according Iceland's foreign minister. The measure passed symbolically on the United Nation's annual day of solidarity with the Palestinian people.

The vote paves the way for formal recognition by the small north Atlantic island, which led the way in recognizing the independence of the three Baltic states after the collapse of the former Soviet Union in 1991.

"Iceland is the first Western European country to take this step," Foreign Minister Ossur Skarphedinsson told Icelandic state broadcaster RUV. "I now have the formal authority to declare our recognition of Palestine."

Palestinian UN observer Riyad Mansour read a message from Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas at UN headquarters on the occasion of the day of solidarity with the Palestinian people. He reaffirmed the Palestinian's bid for UN membership, saying it should complement peace negotiations, provided that Israel is prepared to negotiate on the basis of the 1967 borders.

in full: http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/iceland-becomes-first-western-european-country-to-recognize-palestinian-state-1.398533

[AnOhioan]

1. Kick for the courage of Iceland

[shaayecanaan]

2. Bravo

from the world's oldest parliament, and arguably the most progressive state in the world. Well done.

[oberliner]

9. Arguably the most ethnically homogeneous state in the world.

Is there something about those Nordic folks that makes them so progressive?

[shaayecanaan]

11. Maybe its the same thing that makes Jewish folks so progressive (nt)

[oberliner]

12. Israel is extremely diverse culturally, ethnically, and religiously

Iceland, not so much.

[Violet_Crumble]

18. South Korea and Japan aren't progressive?

They're the most homogenously ethnic countries in the world. I'm pretty sure that it's not an indicator of a progressive state. I'd consider Iceland to be progressive because as with most Nordic countries, it's got a low level of taxation, universal health care at a level Americans could only dream about, and has made their marriage laws gender neutral. If it wasn't so damn cold and stuff I'd move there to enjoy the shorter working week...

[shaayecanaan]

20. A high fish diet, perhaps?

Gefilte for the Jews, and hakarl for the Icelanders. Eat up, kids, it'll make you progressive.

[King_David]

3. Population of Iceland

Population, Iceland

www.google.ca/publicdata
317,398 - 2010
Source: World Bank, World Development Indicators


Best guess for Tampa Population is 303,447

Mentioned on at least 3 websites including areaconnect.com, census.gov and city-data.com -

Show sources - Feedback

[Response]

4. Does it burn you up inside?

[King_David]

6. Nope

They just irrelevant.

[Response]

13. Let us know when they care what you think.

Talk about irrelevant. :eyes:

[King_David]

14. That the best response you got?

A personal attack (and not a very good one either)
c'mon ,I am sure you can do better than that.
Try again.


BTW ,I reckon I did a public service in explaining how important Foreign policy is,of a county the size of Tampa.

OK heres your chance now ,give it a go.I await your 'witty' reply.

[Response]

16. The point is that your bruised feelings on their position

or population is irrelevant.

The size of their population doesn't matter inasmuch as the content of their character.

[holdencaufield]

5. The Members Of...

... The Kew Heights Lawn Bowls and Sports Club formally recognizes the Palestinians State.

[Violet_Crumble]

7. Having a bit of trouble comprehending that Iceland's a state?

There sure seems to be some sour grapes at play in this thread and elsewhere when it comes to legitimisation of a Palestinian state...

[Response]

17. For such a small country that apparently is irrelevant

they certainly have a large sting.

[Violet_Crumble]

19. The population size is an incredibly bizarre thing to be picking on Iceland for...

But who am I to buck an emerging trend? I'm going to raise the ante by drawing the line between relevent and irrelevent at 10 million. Anything under 10M is just far too insignifant and irrelevent to do anything but scoff at it. They're lightweights unless they're fawning over Israel and voting for them in the UN and then they become brave islands of democracy in a sea of radical leftist European latte drinking swill. Then size doesn't matter!

[Response]

22. If that is to be the gold standard then all

nation and posters should bow to the discretion of China and India.

[Scurrilous]

8. Good on them!

:thumbsup:

[King_David]

15. Well Said

:thumbsup:

[azurnoir]

10. kick n/t

[Scurrilous]

21. Kick

:kick:

[bemildred]

23. Icelands corruption index is 8.3, second tier.`

I suppose that is because of the bank collapses, if not for that I would expect them in the top tier.

[Jefferson23]

24. Very good to know, thanks for pointing that out. n/t