The impact of recognising a Palestinian state

[Pelican Press 0]

The impact of recognising a ************ state

As fighting and suffering continues in Gaza, and ********* grows in the West Bank, prospects of the ************ people gaining their own state might seem further away than ever.

The

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to formally recognise the existence of a ************ state will not overcome the reality that such ambition still faces huge obstacles.

But the declarations by Ireland, Spain and Norway will put pressure on other countries in Europe – including the ***, France and Germany – to follow them in supporting ************ self-determination.

“This is extremely significant,” one ***** diplomat said. “It reflects ********* frustration with the ******** government’s refusal to listen.

“And it puts pressure on the EU to follow suit.”

But ******** ministers insist this will encourage ****** and reward terrorism, further reducing the chances of a negotiated settlement.

Most countries –

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– formally recognise a ************ state.

On May 10, 143 out of 193 members of the ******* Nations’ general assembly voted in favour of a ************ bid for full UN membership, something that is only open to states.

Palestine currently has a kind of enhanced observer status at the UN, which gives them a seat but not a vote in the assembly.

It is also recognised by various international organisations including the ***** League and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation.

A ********* of ********* countries already recognise a ************ state. They comprise Hungary, Poland, Romania, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Bulgaria which adopted the position 1988; and others including Sweden, Cyprus and Malta.

But many ********* nations – and the ******* States – say they will recognise a ************ state only as part of a long-term political solution to the conflict in the Middle East.

This is often referred to as the ‘two-state solution’ where both Israelis and Palestinians agree to have their own states with their own borders.

********* countries and the US differ over when they should recognise a ************ state.

Ireland, Spain and Norway say they are doing so now to kick-start a political process. They argue there will be a sustained solution to the current crisis only if both sides can aim at some kind of political horizon.

These countries are also responding to domestic political pressures to show more support for Palestinians.

In the past, the position of many Western countries was that ************ statehood should be a prize for a final peace agreement.

But Lord Cameron, the *** Foreign Secretary, and some other ********* countries have in recent months shifted their positions, saying the recognition of ************ statehood could come earlier, to help drive momentum towards a political settlement.

In February, President Macron of France said: “The recognition of a ************ state is not a ****** for France.”

And earlier this month, France supported ************ membership of the UN in the general assembly vote.

The US has privately discussed this issue with ********* allies but is more cautious and wants a clearer sense of what the policy would mean in practice.

So the key debate behind the scenes is about when these holdout countries should recognise a ************ state: when formal peace talks begin between Israelis and Palestinians, when ******* and Saudi Arabia normalise diplomatic relations, when ******* fails to undertake certain actions, or when the Palestinians take certain actions.

In other words, they want recognition of the state of Palestine to be a big moment designed to achieve a diplomatic outcome.

“It is a big card that Western countries have to play,” one Western official said. “We don’t want to throw it away.”

The problem is that recognising a ************ state is largely a symbolic gesture if it does not also address the vital concomitant questions.

What should the borders be? Where should the capital be located? What should both sides do first to make it happen?

These are difficult questions that have not been agreed – or even answered – satisfactorily for decades.

As of today, a few more countries in Europe now believe there should be a ************ state.

Supporters will cheer the move, opponents will decry it.

The grim reality for Palestinians on the ground is unlikely to change.

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