On Friday morning’s RTL programme “Invité vun der Redaktioun,” CPJPO representative and former president Henri Grün highlighted the need for an unconditional recognition of Palestine. He lamented that the government’s position has yet to undergo a genuine policy shift.
Bettel had stated that Luxembourg would consider recognition if the package presented at the conference in New York in a fortnight’s time is appropriate. In response, Henri Grün, CPJPO board member and former president, voiced scepticism, arguing that this still amounts to diplomatic hesitation rather than a genuine shift in policy.
Grün spoke on the programme “Invité vun der Redaktioun” on Friday morning, stressing that the Chamber of Deputies had already voted over twelve years ago in favour of recognition, contingent on certain conditions. Those conditions, he said, remain unmet. The CPJPO is now urging the government to take the step unconditionally.
Grün also criticised Europe’s inaction throughout the Gaza War, despite its role as Israel’s largest trading partner and the International Court of Justice’s call last year for sanctions. Europe has the means to apply pressure to bring about a change in policy in Gaza and the West Bank, but chooses not to, he lamented.
He also expressed disappointment that the CPJPO has not yet had a direct dialogue with Minister Bettel and questioned whether Luxembourg’s presence at the upcoming New York conference will have any real impact.
According to Grün, the conditions laid out by the Luxembourg government apply only to the Palestinians, which he described as inherently unbalanced.
He also questioned the Israeli government’s genuine interest in a long-term peace settlement, citing continued settlement expansion in the West Bank and resistance from Israeli politicians towards international discussions on Palestinian recognition.
Grün emphasised that the CPJPO distinguishes clearly between the policies of the Israeli government, the Israeli people, and Jewish communities. He noted that many within both Israel and the global Jewish community oppose the occupation and the Gaza conflict.
At the same time, Grün condemned extremist and antisemitic elements in the wider pro-Palestinian movement, particularly abroad. It is completely unacceptable that Jewish students, academics or journalists are being threatened, he said.
Nonetheless, it should not distract from Luxembourg’s “duty” to recognise the state of Palestine without further conditions.
