STOCKHOLM // Sweden officially recognised the state of Palestine on Thursday, becoming the first western EU member to do so.
The move was hailed by the Palestinians as “historic” while Israel denounced it as “deplorable.”
“Today the government takes the decision to recognise the state of Palestine,” Swedish foreign minister Margot Wallstroem wrote, less than a month after the country’s new prime minister announced the government’s plans to make the controversial move.
“It is an important step that confirms the Palestinians’ right to self-determination,” she said.
Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas hailed the decision as “brave and historic” and called for others to follow suit.
Israel recalled its ambassador to Stockholm for “consultations” hours after Sweden’s official recognition of Palestine, the Israeli foreign ministry said.
* Agence France-Presse
