- What does the recognition of Palestine achieve? Does it carry any real impact?
Recognition of Palestine is an extension of supporting the two-state solution, and signals the international community is committed to a negotiated political resolution to the conflict. Crucially, it makes it clear that the international community have reached a consensus on red lines – they are rejecting Hamas as leaders, strengthening moderates, and signalling a willingness and desire to work towards a negotiated resolution. Recognition alone won’t end the conflict, but with no diplomatic measures and international intervention, things can and will get worse.
2. Why now?
There is no perfect timing for a measure which will be seen as controversial by some. It’s true that the war is ongoing and hostages are still being held in Gaza. But recognition of Palestine and bolstering the Palestinian Authority offers an alternative to Hamas. It’s imperfect, but as hostages are still in captivity and the war effort is expanding – the war needs to end, and that means it’s time to talk about the day after in a concrete way, with guarantees from the international community that they will be actively involved in ensuring a path to long term safety and security for Israelis and Palestinians.
3. Isn’t this simply rewarding Hamas for their actions on October 7th?
The British government has made it clear that there will be no support for Hamas governance. Crucially – Hamas do not want two states for two people. They have been clear that their goal is to eradicate Israel and to build a Palestinian state from the river to the sea. Israel has done all it can to defeat them by military force – their ideology must be replaced.
4. What about the hostages?
The immediate risk to hostages is the continued and expanding war effort. The international community must do all it can to end the war and release the hostages. Thus far, negotiated ceasefires with support from the international community have saved the most hostage lives.
Recognition must be seen in the context of recommitting to the two-state solution, rejecting Hamas’ extremism, and bringing about a negotiated resolution.
5. Is this reflective of the growing anti-Israel sentiment across the world?
Recognition of Palestine is an extension of the two-state solution, which has always been the solution most favoured by the diaspora and Israel’s allies. As such, recognising Palestine and the second of two states isn’t anti-Israel, it’s pro resolution.
To allow this conflict to continue, extremism to thrive, is not helpful to the people of Israel. This is not a punishment, it’s an attempt to bring us back to the negotiating table towards peace – as distant as it may seem.