Earlier this month, a Palestinian diplomat called Husam Zomlot was invited to a discussion at the Chatham House think tank in London.
Belgium had just joined the UK, France, and other countries in promising to recognize a Palestinian state at the United Nations in New York. Dr. Zomlot highlighted this as a pivotal moment, stating, What you will see in New York might be the actual last attempt at implementing the two-state solution.
Weeks later, the UK, Canada, and Australia took similar steps, signaling a shift in international diplomacy regarding Palestine. In a video announcement, Sir Keir Starmer commented on the urgency to revive the possibility of peace: That means a safe and secure Israel alongside a viable Palestinian state - at the moment we have neither. More than 150 countries had acknowledged a Palestinian state previously, but the inclusion of these major Western nations marks a significant development.
Xavier Abu Eid, a former Palestinian official, noted, Palestine has never been more powerful worldwide than it is now. The world is mobilized for Palestine. Yet, despite this recognition, critical questions surrounding the definition of Palestine and its leadership remain unresolved.
The 1933 Montevideo Convention lists four criteria for statehood. Palestine can lay claim to a permanent population and the capacity for international relations, as evidenced by Dr. Zomlot. However, it does not yet possess a defined territory, complicating its statehood aspirations.
Many Palestinians view their desired state as encompassing East Jerusalem, the West Bank, and Gaza Strip, all occupied by Israel since the 1967 conflict. However, geographical separation has persisted, complicating governance and identity.
The Palestinian Authority (PA), established during the Oslo Accords in the 1990s, administers only part of the territories due to the presence of Israeli military and settlements. East Jerusalem, viewed as the future capital, has been increasingly isolated due to settlement expansion.
The ongoing Gaza conflict—exacerbated by recent violence—has left the PA, led by President Mahmoud Abbas, largely ineffective. Abbas is approaching 90 years of age and has presided over a political landscape marked by division and disillusionment among the Palestinian populace.
The internal political rift dates back to the establishment of the PA and has since deepened, particularly following the Hamas-Fatah split in 2007. The PA's credibility continues to erode amongst Palestinians, many of whom have never had the chance to vote due to the absence of elections since 2006.
Calls for new leadership resonate throughout the territories, particularly for figures like Marwan Barghouti, who polls show could potentially unite the nation. However, Barghouti remains imprisoned, adding another layer of complexity to the leadership question.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has openly opposed Palestinian statehood, further complicating the international community's efforts. His government continues to push forward with settlement expansion, undermining any feasibility of a contiguous Palestinian state.
If a Palestinian state materializes, it seems increasingly likely that Hamas will not be in power, as international pressure grows for a new governing framework that encompasses broader Palestinian interests.
Despite the grim outlook and challenges posed by both internal discord and external opposition, the recent symbolic recognition by key countries might catalyze meaningful dialogue and action towards resolving the longstanding Palestinian issues. As Diana Buttu aptly noted, while recognition can be significant, the need for immediate cessation of violence remains a pressing priority for Palestinians.
