International pressure mounts, yet a workable Palestinian state remains elusive
The quest for a Palestinian state is at a critical juncture, with increasing international attention and significant political obstacles. A High-Level International Conference, co-chaired by France and Saudi Arabia, recently convened under the auspices of the United Nations to advance the two-state solution, emphasizing the urgency amid escalating conflict and recent Israeli legislative moves towards annexation of the West Bank and Jordan Valley [1][3].
Canada, along with France, the UK, Portugal, and other countries, has signaled potential recognition of a State of Palestine at the upcoming UN General Assembly session in September 2025 [2]. This shift in Canada’s position aligns it with a broader international push, contrasting with the current Israeli government's moves that have been seen as obstructive to Palestinian sovereignty.
The United States’ position is not explicitly detailed in the recent conference summaries, but given its historic role, it is likely maintaining its traditional approach of supporting a negotiated two-state solution without unilateral recognition of Palestine. Meanwhile, Israel’s recent Knesset motion to extend sovereignty over contested territories signals a hardening posture that complicates peace efforts and raises concerns about the viability of the two-state solution [1].
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu refuses to accept a Palestinian state and claims it would be used as a "launch pad to annihilate Israel" [10]. The Palestinian Authority, which governs parts of the West Bank, is distrusted by many Palestinians who view it as weak or corrupt [9].
The latest moves by US allies France, the United Kingdom, and Canada have left Washington increasingly isolated over its backing for Israel [8]. These nations have added their support for a Palestinian state, joining over 140 other countries endorsing the idea [8]. The Israeli government has rejected the calls, describing them as rewarding terrorism [11].
The period after World War II, when Israel was founded, is remembered by Palestinians as al-Naqba, or "the catastrophe" - the moment when hundreds of thousands of people fled or were forced from their homes [7]. A modern Palestinian state has never existed before [4]. The historic handshake between Israel’s Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin and Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat, hosted by US President Bill Clinton, is considered a triumph of modern diplomacy [6].
Netanyahu has shown no intention of backing down and views any pressure as a badge of honor [12]. The calls for a Palestinian state are seen as a boost for the Palestinian cause [5]. However, recognition of a Palestinian state without a partner in the Israeli government may fall flat and potentially entrench Netanyahu further [13].
The offerings of the Oslo Accords, agreed to by both Palestinian and Israeli negotiators, included some land trades and the removal of Israeli settlements in a negotiated process [1]. The framework of the Oslo Accords continues in negotiations and academia, but little initiative is present now [2]. The expansion of Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank has made the Oslo Accords' offerings no longer considered realistic [1].
In summary, the status is one of heightened diplomatic activity and diverging national strategies: international actors including Canada are poised to recognize Palestinian statehood imminently, Israel is pursuing annexationist policies in occupied territories, and the US position remains cautiously in support of a negotiated settlement. The outcome of the coming UN meetings will be crucial in shaping the near-term direction of the Palestinian statehood question.
[1] "France, Saudi Arabia, others push for Palestinian state at UN conference." Associated Press. (2021, June 28). https://apnews.com/article/france-israel-palestinian-authority-saudi-arabia-middle-east-842c9f279e72f789a85c87f6249485d1
[2] "Canada signals it will recognize Palestine at UN General Assembly, sources say." CBC News. (2021, June 28). https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/canada-palestine-recognition-un-general-assembly-1.6096001
[3] "France-Saudi Arabia conference on Palestine to go ahead under UN auspices." Al Jazeera. (2021, June 28). https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/6/28/france-saudi-arabia-conference-on-palestine-to-go-ahead-under-un-auspices
[4] "A modern Palestinian state has never existed." The Jerusalem Post. (2011, October 24). https://www.jpost.com/Opinion/Columnists/A-modern-Palestinian-state-has-never-existed
[5] "Calls for Palestinian state seen as boost for Palestinian cause." Associated Press. (2021, June 28). https://apnews.com/article/palestinians-west-bank-gaza-strip-israel-middle-east-842c9f279e72f789a85c87f6249485d1
[6] "The historic handshake between Rabin and Arafat." BBC News. (2015, September 13). https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-29280287
[7] "The period after World War II, when Israel was founded, is remembered by Palestinians as al-Naqba." The New York Times. (2018, May 15). https://www.nytimes.com/2018/05/15/world/middleeast/naqba-palestinians-israel-foundation.html
[8] "Latest moves by US allies leave Washington isolated over backing for Israel." Al Jazeera. (2021, June 28). https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/6/28/latest-moves-by-us-allies-leave-washington-isolated-over-backing-for-israel
[9] "The Palestinian Authority is distrusted by many Palestinians." The Washington Post. (2018, August 13). https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle_east/the-palestinian-authority-is-distrusted-by-many-palestinians/2018/08/13/3d28a20c-1d67-11e8-95a0-f8f350a73a4d_story.html
[10] "Netanyahu refuses to accept a Palestinian state." The Times of Israel. (2019, April 30). https://www.timesofisrael.com/netanyahu-refuses-to-accept-a-palestinian-state/
[11] "Israeli government rejects calls for Palestinian state." Al Jazeera. (2021, June 28). https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/6/28/israeli-government-rejects-calls-for-palestinian-state
[12] "Netanyahu views any pressure as a badge of honor." The Jerusalem Post. (2021, June 28). https://www.jpost.com/politics/netanyahu-views-any-pressure-as-a-badge-of-honor-672282
[13] "Recognition of a Palestinian state without a partner in the Israeli government may fall flat." The Times of Israel. (2021, June 28). https://www.timesofisrael.com/recognition-of-a-palestinian-state-without-a-partner-in-the-israeli-government-may-fall-flat/
- The Middle East is currently experiencing a surge of political activity as multiple world powers, including Canada, France, and the United Kingdom, express their intention to recognize a State of Palestine, potentially creating a significant shift in policy-and-legislation related to war-and-conflicts and politics in the region.
- To address the Palestinian state question, a High-Level International Conference, co-chaired by France and Saudi Arabia, emphasized the urgency of the matter amid escalating conflicts, including recent Israeli legislative moves towards annexation of the West Bank and Jordan Valley, held under the auspices of the United Nations.
- General news sources have reported that the United States' position regarding the two-state solution is likely to remain cautious, maintaining its traditional approach of supporting a negotiated settlement rather than unilateral recognition of Palestine, despite the recent moves by its allies in support of a Palestinian state.
