What would be the broader Palestinian recognition for Palestinians and Israel?

Many more countries have officially recognized the Palestinian state affair at a World Summit from France and Saudi Arabia, the day after Australia, Britain, Canada and Portugal, they took the step, reminiscent of Israel.

State of Palestinian state power

The Palestinian Liberation Organization declared an independent Palestinian state in 1988 and most of the world recognized it quickly. Today, about 150 of the 193 UN Member States did so.

Israel’s main ally, the United States, has long stated that it supports the purpose of a Palestinian state, but only after the Palestinians and Israel agree on terms of two states in the negotiations. Until the last few weeks, great European powers have shared this position.

However, such Israeli-Palestinian negotiations have not been held since 2014, and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said now that there will never be a Palestinian state.

A delegation representing the state of Palestine has an observer in the UN – but there are no voting rights. Regardless of how many countries they recognize Palestinian independence, UN integration would require approval by the Security Council, where Washington has a veto.

Palestinian diplomatic missions worldwide are controlled by the Palestinian Authority, which is recognized internationally as representing the Palestinian people.

The PA, led by President Mahmoud Abbas, has limited confidence in parts of the West Bank occupied by Israel with agreements with Israel. It issues Palestinian passports and manages Palestinian health and education systems.

The Gaza Strip has been administered by Hamas since 2007, when it led the Abbas Fatah movement after a short civil war.

Embassies?

Palestinian diplomatic missions in countries that recognize a Palestinian state are expected to be upgraded to the full regime of embassies. However, countries are not expected to be able to open new, fully complete embassies in the Palestinian territories, where Israel controls access.

About 40 countries have consulates or representative offices either on the basis of the West Bank of the Palestinian Bank, or in parts of Jerusalem who occupied Israel in 1967, where the Palestinians hope to have their capital.

Israel considers all Jerusalem its own indivisible chapter. Complete embassies in Israel are mostly in Tel Aviv, though the US moved its embassy to Jerusalem during the first term of President Donald Trump.

Purpose

Countries moving to recognize a Palestinian state say that the move is intended to put pressure on Israel to end its devastating attack on Gaza, to limit the construction of new Jewish settlements on the occupied West Bank, and to review them.

French President Emmanuel Macron, the first leader of a great western power to approval recognition, said the move would be accompanied by a PA commitment to establish reforms that would improve the Palestinian governance and make it a more reliable partner.

What does recognition mean in practice?

Those who consider recognition as a simple gesture show the limited influence on conflict of countries such as China, India, Russia and many Arab states that recognized Palestinian independence decades ago.

Without a full position in the UN or control of its own borders, the PA has a limited capacity to carry out bilateral relations.

Israel restricts access to goods, investment and educational or cultural exchanges. There are no Palestinian airports. The West Bank can only be achieved through Israel or through the Israeli -controlled border with Jordan and Israel now controls all access to the Gaza Strip since it records Gaza’s border with Egypt during the ongoing war.

Still, countries that plan recognition and PA itself say it would be more than a vacant gesture.

Husam Zomlot, head of the Palestinian mission in the United Kingdom, said it could lead to corporate relations between entities with an equal basis.

It can also force countries to review aspects of their relationships with Israel, said Vincent Fean, a former British diplomat in Jerusalem.

In the case of Britain, this can lead to the ban on products coming from Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories, he said, although the practical impact on the Israeli economy would be minimal.

We, Israel’s reaction

Israel, facing a global outcry for its behavior in the Gaza War, says recognition rewards Hamas for Israeli attacks that destroyed the war in October 2023.

“A Palestinian state will not be installed west of the Jordanian river,” PM Netanyahu said.

The US is opposed to the recognition of its European allies. He has imposed penalties on Palestinian officials, including the exclusion of ABBA and other PA data from participation in the United Nations General Assembly, refusing and recalling visas.