The entire world is now abuzz with the recognition of Palestine as a sovereign and independent state by some developed countries, namely the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia and Portugal. With them, more than 150 countries, which is over 75 percent of 193 United Nations members, have now recognized the State of Palestine that has been fighting to regain statehood for decades. And, it is expected that some more countries, notably France, another permanent UN Security Council member, are going to do the same thing.
The latest wave of recognition amidst Israel’s barbaric activities against Palestinians in Gaza and oppression in the Occupied West Bank has generated kind of euphoria among many people across the world. But, it will be a mistake to overstate the significance of these recognitions, as they are merely symbolic and there would hardly be any change on the ground with regard to the immense suffering of the Palestinians in Gaza and West Bank.
As things stand today, only the United States, Israel’s staunchest military, diplomatic and financial backer, can materialize the reinstatement of statehood for Palestine. It may sound strange, but it is the truth, rather a bitter truth. If 192 of the 193 UN members, including Israel, want but the US opposes, there would not be an independent Palestinian state. And, it seems, the US, at least for now, does not want that to happen. It is evident from US’s stiff opposition to the recognitions by many countries. The US government is also warning of consequences of the recognitions and any possible actions against Israel. The statements being made by the senior officials of the US administration, led by Donald Trump, and the government’s activities are indicating that Washington is moving away from a possible two-state solution. In last two years, the US vetoed no less than six times the resolutions condemning Israel and seeking a seize fire in the ongoing Israeli war on Gaza that already killed more than 65,000 Palestinians, most of the women and children.
Recently, the US voted with Israel and few other countries against a UN General Assembly resolution that called for two-state solution for the Palestinians and Israelis. The resolution was passed by an overwhelming majority, but since it is non-binding there has been no impact of the adoption of the resolution. Furthermore, Israel with the US backing keeps on showing audacity to unequivocally state that there would be no state for Palestinians and threatening to annex the Occupied West Bank. It is needless to point out that Israeli killings of Palestinians in Gaza continue unabated with no sign of stopping.
Any meaningful change will only come about if the US empathizes with the unbearable pain and suffering of the Palestinians and realizes that the human rights the residents of the occupied territories have been violated for far long in the worst possible way at the hands of the Israelis.
If the countries that have recognized Palestine, especially the developing ones, really feel that it is the time to have an independent state, their words must be backed by actions. They have to make concerted efforts to force the US and Israel to accept the will of most of the people of the world who are asking for an independent Palestine something Palestinians rightfully deserve. Otherwise, these recognitions will prove hollow and a mere formality, and their sincerity will be questioned again as they have not done anything tangible so far to bring about the end of suffering of the Palestinians.
