Recognition of Palestine sometimes seems to be a means rather than an end
image: Selya T. on Unsplash
According to Wim Voermans, Professor of Constitutional Law, separate recognitions of countries carry little weight. Recognition will only be significant when major players like the US also get involved, he says on Dutch news platform Nu.nl.
Recognition of the state of Palestine is on the political agenda of an increasing number of Western countries, now that an overwhelming majority of UN members states recognise it. Experts say that countries mainly use this recognition as a way to exert political pressure and that it has little impact on the current situation the Palestinians are facing. Behind recognition, which is still a long way off according to experts, lies a political tug-of-war filled with promises and threats. Britain’s prime minister Keir Starmer recently threatened to recognise a Palestinian state unless Israel did not immediately agree to a ceasefire.
Voermans explains that ‘generally speaking, you have broad or international recognition if the United Nations recognises you’. If one of the five permanent members of the UN Security Council votes against a resolution, it can still be blocked. France and the UK are leaning towards recognition and could tip the balance.
Voermans adds that in the case of full recognition, ‘you are fully legally competent in relation to other states’ according to the agreements laid down in the Montevideo Convention. ‘They may not violate your sovereignty. Israel therefore has no business remaining in Gaza and the West Bank. Officially, this is now regarded as a kind of internal conflict.’ The professor notes that more and more countries see merit in a two-state solution, in which recognising the Palestinian state is of crucial importance.
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Read the full article on NU.nl (in Dutch)