France’s move marks a turning point in Palestinian recognition
French President Emmanuel Macron stated last week that France intends to recognize a Palestinian state in months and may do so at a United Nations conference in New York in June to end the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
He further added that, in return, certain Middle Eastern nations might officially accept the State of Israel. The Palestinian Authority hailed the statement as “a step in the right direction.”.
As Israel’s relentless attack on Gaza went on, 10 countries – Mexico, Armenia, Slovenia, Ireland, Norway, Spain, the Bahamas, Trinidad and Tobago, Jamaica and Barbados – formally recognized the State of Palestine, reflecting mounting international support.
Palestine’s recognition reinforces its global status, strengthens its hand in demanding Israeli authorities take responsibility for the occupation, and compels Western powers to take action on the two-state solution.
Which countries recognize Palestine?
Presently, the State of Palestine is a sovereign state recognized by 147 out of the 193 member states of the UN, which account for 75 percent of the world’s international community. It is also recognized by the Holy See, the Catholic Church and Vatican City’s governing body, with UN observer status.
A short history of Palestinian recognition
On November 15, 1988, at the initial phase of the first Intifada, Yasser Arafat, the Palestine Liberation Organization chairman, proclaimed Palestine an independent state with Jerusalem as its capital.
After the announcement, over 80 nations declared Palestine an independent state, and it received firm support from the Global South, including African, Asian, Latin American, and Arab nations. The majority of European nations that recognized Palestine at this time did so as members of the previous Soviet bloc.
A few years down the line, on September 13, 1993, the initial direct negotiations between Palestinians and Israelis resulted in the signing of the Oslo Accords, which were to usher in Palestinian self-determination in the shape of a Palestinian state and Israel. This was never realized.
During the late 1980s and early 1990s, almost 20 nations recognized Palestine, then another 12 nations between 2000 and 2010, predominantly from throughout Africa and South America. By 2011, every African nation, excepting Eritrea and Cameroon, had recognized Palestine. In 2012, the General Assembly overwhelmingly voted (138 in favor, 9 against, 41 abstentions) to alter the status of Palestine to “non-member observer state”, and in 2014, Sweden was the first Western European country to recognize Palestine.
More European nations recognizing Palestine
On May 22, 2024, Norway, Ireland and Spain, in turn, stated that they were recognizing Palestine based on the pre-1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital.
Israel, in retaliation, summoned its ambassadors from the three European nations back home and vowed to increase illegal settlements in the occupied West Bank as a penalty.
On June 4, Slovenia became the latest European nation to recognize a Palestinian state.
Other EU countries, like Malta and Belgium, are also debating whether and when to acknowledge Palestinian statehood. None of the G7 nations – Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, or the United States – do.
