Israel Faces Potential Recognition Crisis: Elie Barnavi and Vincent Lemire Urge Immediate Sanctions
In a significant diplomatic shift, France, the United Kingdom, Canada, and other Western powers are expected to join forces in recognising the State of Palestine. This decision, announced by French President Emmanuel Macron at the United Nations General Assembly on September 21st, comes amidst ongoing conflicts in the region.
The recognition of Palestine by these nations is part of a longer history of promises and recognitions related to Palestine. The Balfour Declaration of 1917, a key historical document, signified British support for a Jewish homeland in Palestine, but excluded formal recognition of a sovereign Palestinian state.
The path towards recognition for Palestine has been more gradual and complex. The Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO) was recognised by the UN General Assembly in 1974 as the legitimate representative of the Palestinian people, conferring observer status but not full state recognition. In 1988, after the Palestinian declaration of independence, several developing and non-aligned countries recognised the State of Palestine. However, most major Western powers withheld official recognition at that time, influenced notably by U.S. diplomatic pressure.
Recently, there has been a significant shift in Western attitudes towards recognising Palestine. By early 2025, countries like France, the UK, Canada, Portugal, Spain, Norway, Ireland, and Slovenia had either recognised or indicated plans to recognise Palestine, reflecting increasing diplomatic momentum amid ongoing conflicts. For example, the UK under Prime Minister Keir Starmer has moved towards recognising a Palestinian state conditionally, aligning with broader goals for Middle East peace and balancing the historical legacy of the Balfour Declaration.
It is important to note that the Schuman Declaration of 1950, primarily aimed at European integration, is not directly related to Middle Eastern recognition but reflects early Western post-WWII cooperation.
This timeline highlights the evolving political and diplomatic complexity of recognition for Israel and Palestine by major Western powers, contextualised by early colonial-era declarations and recent geopolitical developments. The recognition of the State of Palestine by these nations could potentially provide legal support to Palestinian citizens, ending the unbearable suffering of Palestinian residents in Gaza and Israeli hostages held by Hamas.
Summary:
- The Balfour Declaration of 1917 signified British support for a Jewish homeland in Palestine but excluded formal recognition of a sovereign Palestinian state.
- The UN Partition Plan of 1947 (UN Resolution 181) provided the basis for Israel’s recognised independence.
- Western powers recognised Israel quickly following its independence in 1948.
- The PLO was recognised by the UN General Assembly in 1974 as the legitimate representative of the Palestinian people, conferring observer status but not full state recognition.
- In 1988, after the Palestinian declaration of independence, several developing and non-aligned countries recognised the State of Palestine. However, most major Western powers withheld official recognition at that time.
- Recently, there has been a significant shift in Western attitudes towards recognising Palestine. By early 2025, countries like France, the UK, Canada, Portugal, Spain, Norway, Ireland, and Slovenia had either recognised or indicated plans to recognise Palestine.
- The Schuman Declaration of 1950 is unrelated directly to Israel-Palestine recognition, focusing on European coal and steel integration and serving as a foundation for the EU.
The Balfour Declaration of 1917, a historic document, laid the groundwork for a Jewish homeland in Palestine, yet it failed to affirm a sovereign Palestinian state. Policy-and-legislation regarding Palestine is a contentious topic in war-and-conflicts, as demonstrated by the ongoing debate about the recognition of Palestine by Western powers. In recent years, a shift in policy-and-legislation has been observed, with nations like France, the United Kingdom, Canada, and others expressing their intentions to recognize the State of Palestine, reflecting changes in politics and general-news.
