The humanitarian crisis in Gaza is unimaginable. A deeply triangulated international strategy to contest Palestinian recognition is beginning to take shape. UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has suggested that recognition of Palestine by the UK hinges on Israel agreeing to a ceasefire and taking significant steps to address the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. This announcement represents an extraordinary shift in international climate diplomacy. Countries such as Canada and France are already taking the lead to further deliver on their support for Palestinian statehood.
Additional pressure has come from Labour’s leader to the opposition, Keir Starmer. He calls for immediate steps to alleviate the catastrophic humanitarian situation for civilians remaining in Gaza. He reiterated that these measures were necessary precursors before the UK was able to move forward with formal UK recognition of Palestine.
The foreign ministers of 15 countries, including many in Europe, recently stated that the immediate recognition of the State of Palestine is important for realizing a two-state solution. They encourage every other nation that hasn’t made this move yet to answer their call.
UK and France Support Palestinian Recognition
The UK now stands alongside France as the most influential advocate for Palestinian statehood. Collectively, they are two of the four permanent members of the UN Security Council. This development aligns with a broader international movement, which has seen several countries affirm their commitment to recognizing Palestine as a state.
Recently, Israel has hit back hard at UK’s stance. Israeli officials have claimed that any recognition would be a reward for Hamas and a blow to the international community’s pursuit of a ceasefire. The Israeli government insists that any move toward recognition should not happen until there is an accepted, durable framework for peace.
In response, Starmer has started demanding more conditions be met before proceeding with recognition. He stressed that the emphasis will no longer be on painting lines. Instead, the focus will be on setting up effective governance and security mechanisms to ensure future support goes toward Gaza’s reconstruction.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has touted Australia’s commitment to the international movement for Palestinian recognition. He doubled down on that position in response to the outcry over recent news. He continued to highlight how Australia is taking a collaborative rather than a unilateral approach in leading support for this cause.
“The commitments made by the president of the Palestinian Authority on June 10 are a step towards moving forward,” – Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.
Global Reactions and Support
The unity showed in the international response to the permanent and colonizing destruction in Gaza illustrates this emerging polarity. Canada and France have taken the lead among diplomatic heavyweights in declaring their intention to recognize a Palestinian state. At the same time, Australia is preparing to join the international coalition that will back this important initiative.
It was no coincidence that fifteen countries led by Australia a joint statement to affirm support for such an outcome. They tacitly endorsed France and the UK’s moves to recognize Palestine. This growing coalition has been zeroing in on the need for coordinated strategies to tackle the worsening humanitarian catastrophe and support peacemaking efforts.
Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas has just released an aspirational plan to SHAKE UP TOMORROW. This intentionally vague plan promotes high profile elections to jumpstart generational renewal and interim agreements to create a demilitarized Palestinian state. He stressed the urgency of international action to relieve suffering in Gaza.
“The deepening suffering of civilians leaves no room for delay in co-ordinated international action to support peace, security, and the dignity of all human life,” – Mahmoud Abbas.
Abbas denounced Israel’s inaction including expansion of illegal settlements and their advancement of new legislation to annex the West Bank. He contends that such actions increase tensions and undermine attempts at achieving peace. He urged the global community to support the forces of moderation who want to live together, not in conflict and bloodshed.
The Role of the United States
Even as more and more countries take steps to recognize Palestine, the US stands tall preventing this trampling of Palestinian rights from taking place. Now President Joe Biden is under increasing pressure to change U.S. policy in favor of Palestinian statehood. Biden’s administration, as one of Israel’s closest allies and diplomatic patrons, faces unprecedented diplomatic challenges. On the one hand, it must meet public expectations at home and abroad.
The U.S. position has come under new and intense criticism as other countries, including several in Europe, move to formally recognize Palestine. Israel’s recent rejection of new statements from both Canada and the UK also shows how much is left to address any type of coordinated international strategy.
Given these circumstances, Abbas has doubled-down on his promise to continue seeking a non-violent resolution. He emphasized that maintaining a viable two-state solution can only be achieved through dialogue from all sides.
“Preserving a two-state solution means standing with all people who choose peace over violence or terrorism, and honouring their innate desire for the peaceful coexistence of Israeli and Palestinian states,” – Mahmoud Abbas.
