Joining with a number of his Latin American neighbors, Ecuadorian President Rafael Correa has formally recognized “the Palestine state as free and independent within its borders ... .”
The Palestinian president has given Hamas 10 days to accept the idea of a Palestinian state alongside Israel, and will submit the plan to referendum if the Islamic militants refuse. The plan implies a recognition of Israel, but does not renounce violence or accept past peace accords—the two other conditions the Palestinian government needs to meet to do business with the West.