(AP) Vanessa Gera - As the Palestinians plan to bring a resolution on Palestinian statehood to the UN in September, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu plans visits soon to Poland, Hungary, Romania and Bulgaria, while envoys are also working hard in the Czech Republic and Slovakia to make their case for opposing the Palestinian initiative. Meanwhile, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has recently been to Hungary and Bulgaria, while one of his top advisers, Nabil Shaath, has visits planned to Armenia, Georgia and Moldova. Some countries like Hungary and Slovakia remain undecided, a reflection of complex historical ties they have to the Israelis and Palestinians. So the race is on for their support. None of the eastern European countries have yet said how they will vote. Yet it's clear that some look askance at the Palestinian initiative, fearing it could derail the peace process.
2011-06-15 00:00:00Full ArticleBACK Visit the Daily Alert Archive