Western Nations Recognised Palestine

Context

At the United Nations, France and several other Western nations formally recognized a Palestinian state.

Key Highlights

• France, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and Portugal recently announced recognition.
• Without backing from the United States, which can veto membership, the action is mostly symbolic.
• The Israeli Prime Minister maintained his stance against the existence of a Palestinian state and pledged to expedite the construction of additional settlements.

Effort to Gain Recognition for Palestine

• Palestinian efforts to gain recognition by the UN as a full member state began in 2011.
• They were granted the status of a non-member observer state in 2012, and they are now in that position.
• UN Recognition: At least nine of the fifteen members of the Security Council must vote in favor to be admitted as a member state. and not a single one of its five permanent members—the United States, France, China, the United Kingdom, and Russia—to veto it. The US has repeatedly used its veto power to block a Security Council resolution, aligning with Israeli foreign policy.
• The statehood of Palestine had previously been recognized by over 145 UN member nations.
• On November 15, 1988, Algeria was the first nation to formally recognize a Palestinian state.
  • • In 1988, India formally acknowledged Palestine as a state.
• The notion of a Palestinian state is opposed by at least 45 nations, including the United States.

Requirements for Being Accepted as a Sovereign Nation

• Before Palestine may be recognized, the Montevideo Convention of 1933, which is formally known as the Convention on the Rights and Duties of States, sets forth a number of requirements for a sovereign nation according to international law. The procedure necessitates that the state possess:
  • • A steady population.
    • A specific region.
    • International relations and an efficient government.
    • Formal diplomatic processes, such as embassies, ambassadors, and agreements.

Palestine’s Present Situation

• Palestine has diplomatic posts worldwide, international recognition, and teams that participate in athletic events, such as the Olympics.
• However, Palestine lacks an army, a capital, and internationally recognized borders due to its long-standing conflict with Israel.
• Additionally, the Palestinian Authority (PA), which was established after peace treaties in the West Bank, is unable to maintain law and order due to Israel’s military presence there. The 1990s are not entirely in charge of its territory or population.

What does it mean to be recognized as a state?

• Diplomatic Meaning: Nations that recognize Palestine concur that it has the right to exist as an independent state apart from Israel.
  • • They may establish official diplomatic ties with embassies, ambassadors, and treaties.
    • Palestine’s demand for independence and self-determination is supported by recognition.
• Law of International and the Law: As seen, Palestine is recognized as a subject of international law, not just a contested territory.
• UN and Multilateral Forums: Palestine has held the position of “non-member observer state” at the UN since 2012.
  • • Palestine gains more legitimacy in multilateral talks when it is recognized by more nations.
• Political Significance: The two-state solution is frequently seen as being symbolically but rhetorically supported by recognition.
  • • It puts pressure on Israel to engage in meaningful negotiations.

Conclusion

• Treating Palestine as a legitimate, independent nation by the international community constitutes recognition of Palestine.
• Nonetheless, it is still just a diplomatic and political move without complete UN membership or control over borders and territory.
• Therefore, acknowledgment is essential, but a negotiated agreement and long-term resolution to the conflict are the only ways to achieve genuine legitimacy and stability.

Source: The Hindu

Mains PYQ

(Q) ‘Too little cash, too much politics, leaves UNESCO fighting for life.’ Discuss the statement in the light of US’ withdrawal and its accusation of the cultural body as being ‘anti-Israel bias’. (2019)

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