Editorial 2: Recognition of Palestine
Context:
Recently, several countries, including France, the United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia, along with smaller European nations such as Portugal, Andorra, Belgium, Luxembourg, Malta, and Monaco, have formally recognized the State of Palestine. Israel, however, has strongly opposed these recognitions, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu describing them as “absurd” and reiterating Israel’s refusal to allow the establishment of a Palestinian state.
Impact on Israel-Palestine war:
- The impact of recognition on the ongoing war in Gaza is limited. It can act as a diplomatic pressure, but the responsibility of ending war relies on states such as Germany, US who provide about 90% of arms imported to Israel.
- Military hostilities continue unabated, and even if Hamas were to release hostages or partially comply with international demands, the conflict is unlikely to end without decisive action against Israel.
- While some European countries, including the UK, have taken steps to limit certain arms exports to Israel, others, such as the United States and Germany, continue to provide substantial military support.
- For instance, the U.S. has committed billions of dollars in military aid, and Germany remains one of Israel’s largest suppliers of defense equipment.
- As a result, while increased recognition does apply diplomatic pressure on Israel, it does not directly constrain its military operations.
- Historically, Israel has responded to international criticism by intensifying its military activity and entrenching its occupation policies rather than reversing them.
Impact on Palestinian statehood:
- Under international law, specifically the 1933 Montevideo Convention, a state must meet four criteria: a defined territory, a permanent population, an effective government, and the capacity to engage in foreign relations.
- Palestinian territories remain largely under Israeli occupation, with Israel controlling borders, airspace, and maritime access in Gaza, the West Bank, and East Jerusalem.
- In terms of the Montevideo Convention criteria, the recognition primarily reinforces Palestine’s claim to statehood in the international legal domain, even if practical control over its territory is limited.
- Gaza and the West Bank are inhabited by millions of Palestinians, though the ongoing conflict and humanitarian crisis threaten population stability.
- It also consolidates international acknowledgment of Palestinian claims to historical territories, including Gaza, the West Bank, and East Jerusalem, as outlined in the 1988 Palestinian declaration of statehood.
- This can bolster Palestine’s position in negotiations concerning territorial disputes, human rights, and political representation.
- The United Nations Independent International Commission of Enquiry has concluded that Israeli security forces have killed or injured about 10% of Gaza’s population.
- As the Israeli Defense Forces intensify indiscriminate bombardment, it threatens the second pillar of Palestinian statehood i.e. population.
- Though the Palestinian Authority (PA) acts as de jure authority in West Bank and East Jerusalem, but de facto control lies with Israel.
- Hamas has governed the Gaza Strip as the de jure ruler after ousting the PA in 2007 elections. Hamas rule the Gaza Strip under Israel’s complete land, air and naval blockade.
- The present recognition occurs alongside demand for PA to reform and Hamas to disarm and remove itself from Palestinian politics. Even if Hamas is demilitarized, Palestine will not be fully sovereign amid Israel’s refusal to cede control over military and defense issues.
- This endangers the third pillar of Palestinian state by denying legitimacy to Palestinian government.
- The greater international recognition of statehood emboldens the Palestinian Authority to better lobbying for Palestine, an end that is almost completely reliant on Israel and US. It also enhances PA’s ability to conduct international relations.
Impact on Israel:
- Israel has doubled down on its military action, and entrenched the occupation of these territories after the recognition of Palestine by UK.
- This makes the imperative of Palestinian state impossible to achieve with each passing day as Israel pushes its offensive in Gaza Strip.
Way Forward:
The recent recognition of Palestine by multiple countries represents a significant diplomatic victory, enhancing its international legitimacy and legal standing. However, recognition alone does not alter the practical realities of the conflict: Israel continues to maintain military and territorial control, and Hamas remains a powerful political and military actor in Gaza. For Palestinians, the recognition serves as a foundation for future international advocacy and negotiation, rather than an immediate solution to the war or occupation.