Speaking at his government’s weekly press conference, Kristen Michal, Prime Minister of Estonia, said his country has no plans to recognize a Palestinian state at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in September.
On Wednesday, 15 countries signed a joint declaration calling for the recognition of a Palestinian state when the UNGA convenes its annual regular sessions. President Donald Trump has stated that he would not support such a move.
“Today there is no state to recognize,” Michal declared. “Of course, we are doing everything we can within the European Union to resolve the critical humanitarian situation as quickly as possible. But from our point of view, there is currently no state to additionally recognize.”
Israel was one of the first countries to recognize Estonia’s independence in 1991. Estonia joined the European Union in 2004 and was one of 38 countries that boycotted the vehemently anti-Israel World Conference Against Racism in Durban in 2021. Israeli and Estonian government officials have frequently visited each other’s countries for the last 24 years.
Last December, the Estonian Academy of Arts (EKA) canceled a workshop with a visiting Israeli professor, adding that it would not cooperate with any Israeli higher education institutions. Outgoing EKA director Mart Kalm stated, “It has appeared to be wiser for us to refrain from this at the moment…. Israeli universities know the prevailing sentiments, so this was not a surprise to them.”
But Michal immediately criticized the decision, saying, “I believe the academy should reconsider this decision.” Estonian Minister of Foreign Affairs Margus Tsahkna added, “As foreign minister, I see no reason why we should stop cooperation with Israel at this level. I can’t comment on what the atmosphere is like in this educational institution, but as foreign minister, I can only say that this is definitely a step in the wrong direction.”
Former Estonian Minister of Education Jaak Aaviksoo echoed, “I don’t know about the internal atmosphere, although I do know that there are these kinds of very radical left-wing activists there and giving in to their incomprehensible demands is the core of the problem for me.”
