Bolivia joins neighbors in recognizing Palestinian state

From Jerusalem Post: 

Bolivia on Friday joined the list of South American countries that have announced their recognition of a fully sovereign Palestinian state on the 1967 borders with Israel, Palestinian news agency Ma'an reported.

Bolivian President Evo Morales made the announcement in Brazil at a conference with regional leaders, Bolivia's Foreign Affairs Ministry said.

“Bolivia recognizes the Palestinian state along 1967 borders, together with Brazil and Argentina,” Morales was quoted as saying.

Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas welcomed the move and he thanked Bolivia for its support and praised bilateral relations.

The Bolivian president spoke with Abbas three days prior to the announcement, officials said.

Following in Brazil’s footsteps from earlier in the month, Argentina announced also that it recognized a “free and independent” Palestinian state, sparking an immediate condemnation from Israel.

Argentina’s President Cristina Kirchner told Abbas in a letter that her country recognized a Palestine defined by 1967 borders, Argentine officials said.

Uruguay announced soon afterward that it would recognize a Palestinian state next year. “Uruguay will surely follow the same path as Argentina in 2011,” Deputy Foreign Minister Roberto Conde told AFP.

In light of the announcements by South American countries, Palestinian negotiators this week, for the first time, asked European countries to recognize a Palestinian state in the West Bank and Gaza Strip — even without a peace deal with Israel.

Palestinian officials said last week that they had asked the consuls general of France, Britain, Sweden and Denmark as well as the European Union envoy to the peace process to recognize the 1967 borders between Israel and "Palestine."