Palestinian mission rejoices over statehood recognition

Following the UK’s recognition of Palestine, the Palestinian mission to the UK rejoiced, as the wider West also moved to recognise statehood, France 24 via AFP reported on September 21st.

The head of the Palestinian Mission to the UK, Husam Zomlot, said to AFP: “This is a South Africa moment for Palestine.” The head was referring to end of the white apartheid government of South Africa, which ended following increasing global pressure.

Zomlot, who later congratulated his team, added that the move was an “act of assurances to the Palestinian people that they hope for a better future and … peace is possible”.

One member of staff who wanted to remain anonymous, joked that the move has taken decades. Multiple Western leaders have reaffirmed that a two-state solution is the only path to put an end to the ongoing crisis in Gaza, and to build lasting peace in the region.

As the UK joined Canada, Australia and Portugal in formally recognising the state of Palestine, France 24 correspondent, Noga Tarnopolsky, asserted that the people of Israel may be questioning what this could mean for the ongoing conflict. She said: “My sense is the average Israeli definitely feels that these decisions to recognise a Palestinian state are not decisions in Israel’s favour but are very unclear on how this may actually impact Israel.”

“Regular Israelis . . . are much more concerned still about the fate of the hostages and about the continuation of this war that continues taking the lives of conscripted soldiers. The gap between the Israeli government and the Israeli people continues just to widen.”

Britain’s formal recognition of Palestine followed a period of speculation as to whether or not it will go ahead, ever since its neighbour, France, softened its stance on recognising Palestine in June. The British government had released a list of conditions for Israel to meet, including a long-term peace process, that served the purpose of concluding their final decision on the recognition.

France’s commitment to recognising a Palestinian state has been doubted before. French president Emmanuel Macron initially stated in April that his country could recognise a Palestinian state in June. By June, the government stated that it had a responsibility, as a UN permanent member, to avoid making a symbolic decision, which ultimately delayed the recognition indefinitely.

However, according to France 24, in July, the French president had announced on X that his country would finally recognise the Arab state in September at the UN General Assembly.

But the war on Gaza shows no sign of ending, as Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his government continue to intensify their attacks on both the West Bank and Gaza. And with Western countries still hesitant to involve themselves in the conflict, the current situation leaves little hope for the fruition of a Palestinian state.

France 24, AFP, Maghrebi.org