By C. Costa, Jadetimes News
European Countries' Recognition Efforts and the Path to Peace
As fighting and suffering continue in Gaza and violence escalates in the West Bank, the prospect of the Palestinian people achieving their own state might seem more remote than ever. Despite this, several European countrie's decisions to formally recognise a Palestinian state are adding new dimensions to the ongoing conflict.
European Moves to Recognise Palestine
Ireland, Spain, and Norway have recently taken steps to acknowledge Palestine as a state. These declarations are seen as a significant shift in the political landscape, reflecting growing European frustration with the Israeli government's stance. The move is expected to pressure other European nations, including the UK, France, and Germany, to reconsider their positions on Palestinian self-determination.
"This is extremely significant," one Arab diplomat remarked. "It reflects European frustration with the Israeli government’s refusal to listen and puts pressure on the EU to follow suit."
Global Recognition and the UN
Currently, about 139 countries worldwide recognise a Palestinian state. On May 10, 143 out of 193 members of the United Nations General Assembly voted in favor of Palestine’s bid for full UN membership, a status granted only to sovereign states. While Palestine currently enjoys enhanced observer status at the UN, which allows participation but not voting rights, it is also recognised by numerous international organizations, including the Arab League and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation.
European Divergence on Recognition
A minority of European countries, including Hungary, Poland, Romania, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Bulgaria, recognised Palestine back in 1988. Other nations like Sweden, Cyprus, and Malta have followed suit more recently. Nevertheless, many Western countries, including the United States, maintain that recognition should come as part of a comprehensive peace agreement between Israelis and Palestinians, often referred to as the "two-state solution."
Ireland, Spain, and Norway argue that immediate recognition can catalyse a political process, creating a necessary framework for long-term resolution. These countries also face domestic political pressure to show increased support for the Palestinian cause. Traditionally, many Western countries viewed Palestinian statehood as a reward contingent on a final peace agreement. However, some leaders, including UK Foreign Secretary Lord Cameron and French President Emmanuel Macron, have shifted their positions, suggesting that earlier recognition could help drive negotiations.
The Debate Over Timing
The central debate among holdout countries revolves around the timing of recognising a Palestinian state. Should it occur when formal peace talks commence, when Israel and Saudi Arabia normalise relations, when Israel fails to meet certain conditions, or when the Palestinians take specific actions? These nations believe that recognition should be a strategic move aimed at achieving a diplomatic breakthrough.
"It is a big card that Western countries have to play," one Western official noted. "We don’t want to throw it away."
Symbolism Versus Reality
While the recognition of a Palestinian state carries significant symbolic weight, it does not address critical issues such as borders, the capital's location, and the prerequisites for both sides to make this a reality. These questions have remained unresolved for decades, complicating the path to a sustainable peace.
Despite more countries in Europe now advocating for a Palestinian state, the immediate impact on the ground for Palestinians remains grim. Supporters of recognition will celebrate these moves, while opponents will criticise them, yet the daily realities for those in Gaza and the West Bank are unlikely to change in the short term.
