A wave of official recognition of the State of Palestine by a Western European country was decided at a time when “Israel” was drowning in its crimes and wreaking havoc, racing against time in its encroachment on Palestinian land, through genocide, destruction, and confiscation, to prevent the possibility of its establishment.
These recognitions represent a slap in the face for decades of European support for Israel, following years of blind and absolute support for the country. They will entail risks for Israel, according to two political analysts.
On Sunday, Britain, Canada, and Australia announced their official recognition of the State of Palestine.
The three countries affirmed, in separate statements, that “the recognition comes in compliance with the principles of international law and United Nations resolutions, and as an embodiment of the Palestinian people’s right to self-determination and the establishment of an independent state on the June 4, 1967, borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital.”
Other Western countries are expected to follow suit, which will constitute a crack in the Western wall supporting “Israel.”
Form two paths
Political analyst Suleiman Basharat told Safa News Agency that this Western move came too late for the Palestinian people’s suffering since the long years of Israeli occupation.
He added, “This does not mean that there is a state of humanitarian awakening among these countries, but rather it appears to be a natural response to the transformations that the world as a whole is witnessing, following the war of extermination waged by Israel in Gaza.”
But he stresses that these confessions represent a significant shift away from the heinous Israeli policies practiced against Palestinians everywhere, whether in Gaza, the West Bank, or the Palestinian cause in general.
This move therefore represents a crack in the Western wall, with regard to positions that represent a complete and fundamental support for Israeli policies, Basharat asserts.
He continued, “Israel today, while it may still view these steps as manageable, and that the extent of its response may depend on political positions, will not move toward imposing direct sanctions. However, I believe Israel views them as a dangerous step.”
This is due to the fact that these recognitions are in line with the societal transformations taking place in Western countries. Consequently, they represent the beginning of the formation of international public opinion toward gradual disengagement and distancing from the Israeli occupation and its unconditional support.
From Basharat’s perspective, these Western steps open the door to questioning the Israeli narrative, through which the global Zionist movement attempts to control the international situation and prove that what it issues is the truth.
At the same time, these recognitions – from his point of view – mark the beginning of two paths towards the Palestinian cause. The first path is represented by the United States of America, the absolute supporter of “Israel,” and the other path is the Western European face, which has begun to break away from the absolute American hegemony and equation.
Therefore, Basharat emphasizes that this step is important and foundational, but that these countries must build upon it, meaning that its ceiling should not be limited to reaching a state of recognition and stopping there, but rather, it should take effective steps to address Israeli practices.
He stresses the need for the resolution to be translated into protection for the recognized Palestinian states, and, on the other hand, to punish “Israel” for any future violations, in accordance with international law, which recognizes the principle of protecting states from any aggression or hostile entities.
He also said, “These decisions create a broader space for a political role at the international level regarding the Palestinian issue and the beginning of a break from the political pressures exerted on international decisions.”
What will happen?
For his part, political analyst Khaldoun Barghouti told Safa News Agency that there is clear concern in Israel and violent responses from ministers and officials who are calling for a response to Britain, Australia, and Canada’s recognition of the State of Palestine by calling for the immediate annexation of the West Bank.
He added, “Israel’s concern is that while the recognition may be symbolic, it will entail legal action later, as the State of Palestine will become, in the eyes of the world, a state under the occupation of another foreign state, and this has legal consequences under international law.”
On the other hand, this recognition is a warning to many who attack the Israeli government and its policies, which have brought Israel’s international standing to rock bottom, according to Barghouti.
He stated that the decisions come in light of sanctions imposed by the European Union, or recommendations to impose such sanctions, regarding trade facilitations between Israel and the European Union.
“We’re talking about tens of billions of dollars. There are efforts to expel Israel from virtually every international event, starting with the Eurovision Song Contest, FIFA, and UEFA, which will be discussed on Tuesday and may be voted on, and later adopted by other federations. Many companies that deal with Israeli companies have canceled dozens of deals, according to what the head of the Israeli Manufacturers’ Association admitted.”
He asserts, “This is a ball rolling, and many Israelis themselves say that Israel has become the pariah state in the world, with no ally other than the United States.”
He believes that all of this has a political, diplomatic, economic, and social price for the Israelis, as well as a military price.
Although the decision may currently be symbolic, and we may witness an escalation in the West Bank in response, in the long term, with every measure taken, Israel becomes more deeply implicated and isolates itself. This is a concern that haunts the United States, which is fearful of Israel’s current situation, Barghouti asserts.
He emphasizes that all of these issues are viewed seriously by rational Israelis as a strategic threat. He also emphasizes that the international popular support for the Palestinians from the occupation also constitutes a source of concern in Israel, as it confirms the extent of the deterioration of Israel’s standing among countries that had supported it at every level and are now taking measures to counter it.
He points out that Israel may respond to these measures in an undiplomatic manner, which could lead to tension, adding, “However, the issue is not just the symbolism of recognizing the State of Palestine, but rather the consequences of this event.”
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