More countries are officially recognizing Palestine as an independent state. This is causing tensions with Israel.
- Three European countries – Ireland, Norway, and Spain – recently announced they recognize Palestine as a separate country
- Around 140 countries already recognize the State of Palestine, including some European nations
- Israel is angry about this and recalled ambassadors from Ireland, Norway, and Spain
- It’s part of the long conflict between Israelis and Palestinians over land and borders
Should more countries recognize Palestine as an independent from Israel? Let’s take a closer look.
The Reasons Behind It
Countries that recognize Palestine as an independent state believe it meets the basic requirements:
- It has a permanent population of Palestinian people
- Its borders are based on the pre-1967 boundaries before the Six-Day War
- The Palestinian Authority acts as the governing body, albeit split between the West Bank and Gaza
- Palestine has capacity to interact with other countries
Some disagree that Palestine fully meets all the criteria to be an official state. But many feel recognizing it puts pressure on Israel to work towards a two-state solution allowing Palestine self-governance.
The Stalled Peace Process
The closest Israel and Palestine have come to a peace agreement was the Oslo Accords around 30 years ago. But two key groups opposed the deal:
- Hamas, the militant Palestinian group that controls Gaza
- Benjamin Netanyahu, now Prime Minister of Israel
Under Netanyahu, Israel has consistently rejected the idea of an independent Palestinian state alongside Israel. So the peace process has gone nowhere for decades.
Many countries are frustrated by the lack of progress. Recognizing Palestinian statehood is seen as a way to push Israeli leaders back to negotiations.
Risk of Increased Tensions
However, some worry officially recognizing Palestine could actually increase tensions and violence in the region.
For example, the announcement by Ireland, Norway and Spain came during a flare-up of hostilities between Israel and Hamas in Gaza. At least one leader questioned if this rewarded Palestinian militant groups like Hamas.
There are also concerns it could undermine efforts to restart meaningful peace talks if Israel sees it as unjustly preempting a negotiated agreement.
What’s Next?
Major allies of Israel like the U.S., U.K. and France have so far stopped short of recognizing Palestine as a full state.
However, some analysts believe it’s only a matter of time until they join other nations. Former U.K. leaders have hinted they could use recognition as a bargaining chip if the peace process remains hopelessly stalled.
France already voted in favor of Palestinian statehood during a recent U.N. vote, though the U.S. vetoed the measure.
While recognition is considered symbolic more than anything else today, it amps up the pressure on Israel’s leadership. The big question is whether it could help or hinder the eventual goal of a negotiated two-state solution.
So will officially recognizing Palestine help resolve one of the world’s longest conflicts? Only time will tell.
