Recognition of Palestine is a symbolic act, devoid of strategic planning

Recognition of Palestine is a symbolic act, devoid of strategic planning

In a significant move, the United Kingdom and France have announced their intentions to recognize a Palestinian State. This decision, rooted in both responding to the deteriorating situation in Gaza and the West Bank, as well as addressing internal political pressures related to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, has sparked a wave of discussions.

The origins of the modern Middle East, including the borders of Iraq, Lebanon, Jordan, Palestine, and Syria, can be traced back to British and French mapmakers. Fast forward a century, and the UK found itself running Palestine and holding the ring for Jewish immigration from 1920 to Israel's formation in 1948. Today, the UK's conditions for recognizing a Palestinian state are contingent on Israel agreeing to a ceasefire in Gaza by September.

France, too, views the two-state solution as being in "mortal danger" due to ongoing Israeli settlement expansion and violence. Recognition is partly intended to create diplomatic momentum toward a ceasefire and a lasting political solution. Domestically, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict significantly affects political debates in France, motivating leadership to take a clear stance.

For French President Emmanuel Macron, this decision is also a strategic move for legacy and international positioning. It aligns with a growing international trend and represents a long-term vision of peace and stability in the region. The UK's approach includes conditions tied to ceasefire and peace progress, indicating a balancing act to satisfy domestic constituencies and uphold broader peace aims without fully alienating Israel.

The impact on the ongoing conflict in Gaza could potentially help bolster diplomatic efforts toward a ceasefire and renewed peace negotiations. France and Saudi Arabia are pushing for a UN resolution with tangible, time-bound steps toward peace, including Hamas disarmament and Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, with Arab League backing.

However, recognition alone is unlikely to immediately alter ground realities given the entrenched and violent nature of the conflict. It is part of a wider strategic attempt to shift international and regional dynamics. If there is no truce before September, Hamas' refusal to lay down its arms could be rewarded with recognition, potentially strengthening its position.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron are acting primarily for domestic political reasons. Both countries are traditional allies of Israel and members of the G7. Hamas has an equal say in any ceasefire and has already rejected a previous deal.

Recognizing a Palestinian State may not significantly reduce suffering in Gaza or bring a Palestinian state closer to creation. If Netanyahu does now agree to a ceasefire, it would be despite these threats of recognition, not because of them.

The decision also marks a response to a strong pro-Palestinian movement at home in France, and political threats from within the Labour Party and a potential insurgency to Starmer's left, in the UK. This recognition is one way to counter these threats and position both leaders as active players on the global stage.

[1] BBC News. (2021, August 17). France and UK to recognise Palestine as state, Macron says. https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-58339901 [2] The Guardian. (2021, August 17). France and UK to recognise Palestine as state, Macron says. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/aug/17/france-and-uk-to-recognise-palestine-as-state-macron-says [3] The New York Times. (2021, August 17). Britain and France Plan to Recognize Palestine as a State. https://www.nytimes.com/2021/08/17/world/middleeast/uk-france-palestine.html [4] Al Jazeera. (2021, August 17). UK and France to recognise Palestine as state, Macron says. https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/8/17/uk-and-france-to-recognise-palestine-as-state-macron-says [5] Middle East Eye. (2021, August 17). France and UK to recognise Palestine as a state, Macron says. https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/france-uk-recognise-palestine-state-macron-says

1. In announcing their intentions to recognize a Palestinian State, the UK and France have entered the realm of policy-and-legislation, stepping into the dynamics of war-and-conflicts and general-news.
2. The recognition of a Palestinian State by the UK and France, as outlined in numerous global news sources, is a strategic move that not only responds to internal political pressures but also aims to create diplomatic momentum toward peace, highlighting the intersection of politics and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

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