Recognizing Palestine

In recent weeks, several countries, notably including France, Germany, and Canada, have recognized the State of Palestine. A few people have asked me for my thoughts on the subject and asked what Israelis think.

Many, probably most, Israelis feel it is a betrayal and a “reward for terrorism.” If you actually read the statements from the relevant governments on recognizing Palestine, I think you would come to a different conclusion. Some Israelis support it, feeling it is a necessary step in order to make a strong statement that Israel must not annex the West Bank and Gaza, or there will be serious repercussions.

To start with, I do not think it has any practical significance. You cannot really have a state without controlling territory, which means the Palestinians will have a state if and when Israel decides they will have a state. So recognizing Palestine at this time is a little like recognizing a “government in exile,” that doesn’t really govern. Recognizing Palestine is “virtue signaling,” without practical import.

On the other hand, as a statement of intent, it could be significant. The Israeli government should take it as a warning: annex the West Bank and Gaza, especially without making the Palestinians Israeli citizens, and Israel could be subject to sanctions and boycotts, etc. 

I have appended the statements from the French foreign ministry and the Canadian prime minister on recognizing Palestine. They both condemn Hamas and affirm that Hamas must be disarmed and cannot have any part in governing Gaza. So that does not seem like much of a reward for terrorism. Hamas has been ruling Gaza until now; by virtue of launching their disgusting attack the international community is saying Hamas is finished. Does not seem like a reward to me. The Palestinian Authority, the entity that has cooperated with Israel on security issues and has played nicely, although corruptly, is the one being rewarded.

None of it, however, means much unless the countries recognizing Palestine are willing to do things such as impose sanctions on Israel which so far they have not done. And even if they started imposing sanctions, as long as Trump has Israel’s back, Israel could probably ride out whatever Europe decides to do. 

It is frustrating for those of us who long for a real, just peace in the lands between the Jordan River and the Mediterranean, but nothing is going to happen until either Trump and Netanyahu decide it will happen, or there is a change in government in Israel and/or America.

Statements follow:

From the French Foreign Ministry:

…this decision reaffirms France’s commitment to the implementation of the two-state solution, with Israel and Palestine living side by side in peace and security. It is the only path that can address the legitimate aspirations of both the Israelis and the Palestinians and establish a lasting peace in the Middle East. By virtue of this decision, France reaffirms the Palestinian people’s right to self-determination in the face of facts on the ground. It recognizes and hails the courageous commitments taken by the Palestinian Authority, which has come out strongly in favor of the two-State solution and peace, strongly condemned the terrorist attacks carried out by Hamas on October 7, called for the release of the hostages, the disarmament of Hamas and its exclusion from the governance of Gaza, pledged to combat hate speech and radicalization and to overhaul its governance – commitments for which we will hold it accountable. In granting this recognition, France acknowledges the Palestinian actors who have chosen dialogue and peace over those such as Hamas, in particular, who have chosen war and terrorism.

From the Canadian Prime Minister’s office:

Prime Minister Carney’s press release says it has been the policy of every Canadian government to support a two-state solution. The press release states:

Over many decades, Canada’s commitment to this goal was premised on the expectation that this outcome would be eventually achieved as part of a negotiated settlement. Regrettably, this possibility has been steadily and gravely eroded, including by:

• The pervasive threat of Hamas terrorism to Israel and its people, culminating in the heinous terrorist attack of October 7, 2023, and Hamas’ longstanding violent rejection of Israel’s right to exist and a two-state solution.
• The accelerated settlement building across the West Bank and East Jerusalem, while settler violence against Palestinians has soared.
• Actions such as the E1 Settlement Plan and this year’s vote by the Knesset calling for the annexation of the West Bank.
• The Israeli government’s contribution to the humanitarian disaster in Gaza, including by impeding access to food and other essential humanitarian supplies.

Hamas has terrorized the people of Israel and oppressed the people of Gaza, wreaking horrific suffering. It is imperative that Hamas release all hostages, fully disarm, and play no role in the future governance of Palestine. Hamas has stolen from the Palestinian people, cheated them of their life and liberty, and can in no way dictate their future.