Cyprus has recognized a Palestinian state within the 1967 borders, the official Palestinian news agency WAFA said on Sunday, following similar recent declarations coming mostly from South American states.
On Friday, Paraguay's government too said it recognized a Palestinian state based on pre-Six-Day War borders, following similar moves by other South American countries in recent months.
Brazil, Argentina, Ecuador, Bolivia and Uruguay have also recently recognized a Palestinian state along the pre-war borders. Chile and Peru have given their recognition to a Palestinian state as well, but without specifying borders.
Within the European sphere there has been less of an inclination to unilaterally recognize a Palestinian state, however, a growing trend to upgrade Palestinian missions to embassies has emerged. Prominent European states who have already announced this upgrade include France, Spain and Ireland.
The Israeli assessment is that Britain, Sweden, Belgium, Finland, Germany, Denmark, Malta, Luxembourg, Austria and perhaps other states are considering a similar move.
Last week, the Foreign Ministry reprimanded Ireland's ambassador to Israel Breifne O'Reilly for the nation's decision to upgrade the Palestinian mission, saying Israel was "very disappointed" and that "this does not contribute to the peace process in any way."
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