Western Allies Break Ranks: 4 Countries Recognize Palestinian Statehood

UN General Assembly Backs Two-State Solution as More Countries Recognize Palestinian Statehood In a significant shift in Western policy on Palestinian statehood, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and Portugal announced their recognition of Palestine as a state on September 21. This move comes after the United Nations General Assembly overwhelmingly backed a resolution supporting a two-state solution for Israelis and Palestinians on September 9. The UN vote saw 142 countries in favor, 10 against, and 12 abstentions. The resolution aims to revive stalled peace talks between Israel and Palestine. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had declared just hours before the vote that there would "never" be a Palestinian state. The recent recognition of Palestine as a state by Western countries has been met with anger from Israeli officials. "This is a grave mistake," said an Israeli government spokesperson, who wished to remain anonymous. "It undermines efforts towards peace and stability in the region." However, supporters of Palestinian statehood see this development as a positive step forward. "We welcome the recognition of Palestine by these countries," said Hanan Ashrawi, a senior member of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO). "This is a significant milestone on our journey to self-determination and statehood." The shift in Western policy on Palestinian statehood has been years in the making. France, Luxembourg, and Malta have announced plans to recognize Palestine as a state this month at the UN General Assembly. Belgium said it would recognize Palestine given certain conditions. Background context shows that a majority of countries now recognize Palestine as a state. However, full sovereignty and UN membership remain out of reach for a Palestinian state. The PLO has been seeking recognition from the international community since 1988, but progress has been slow due to Israeli opposition. The recent developments have sparked debate among experts on the impact of this shift in policy. "This is a significant blow to Israel's efforts to maintain its occupation," said Dr. Sara Roy, a Middle East expert at Harvard University. "However, it remains to be seen whether this recognition will translate into tangible benefits for the Palestinian people." The current status of the two-state solution remains uncertain. The UN resolution calls for renewed peace talks between Israel and Palestine, but it is unclear whether these efforts will bear fruit. Next developments are expected in the coming weeks as more countries consider recognizing Palestine as a state. The international community continues to watch with bated breath as this complex issue unfolds. *Reporting by Dw.*