A “Minimal and Belated” Step: What Does Recognizing the State of Palestine Mean?
Mehr News Agency,International Desk: On the eve of the 80th United Nations General assembly session and amid ongoing atrocities and genocide committed by the Israeli regime in gaza,several countries-including the United Kingdom,Australia,Canada,and Portugal-have officially announced their recognition of the State of Palestine. Today, additional countries such as France, Belgium, Luxembourg, and Malta are expected to join this movement by recognizing the Palestinian government.
Al Jazeera Network reported on the political and legal implications of this action. It predicts that as a result, the number of UN member states recognizing Palestine could rise to 159 out of 193.
Which Countries Have Yet to Recognize Palestine?
Currently, nearly 75 percent of UN member states formally recognize Palestine; however, at least 45 countries-including the United States, Israel itself, and its allies-have not extended recognition to the Palestinian government. In Asia, Japan, South Korea, and Singapore do not recognize Palestine. In Africa and Latin America respectively have examples like Cameroon and Panama remaining non-recognizers. Most small Oceanic nations-often exploited by Israel for passing certain resolutions-also refrain from recognition.
In Europe ther is considerable division over this issue; approximately half its countries still do not recognize a Palestinian state.
What Does Recognizing Palestine Mean?
The BBC World Service describes: “Palestine is both a country that exists-and one that does not.” The Palestinian Authority holds important international recognition with diplomatic representation abroad and participates in sporting competitions including the Olympics. Still due to prolonged conflict with Israel-it lacks clearly defined borders or capital city-and does not possess an army. Israeli military occupation over parts of West Bank has limited full control since peace accords in the 1990s established restricted self-governance for Palestinians there while Gaza remains under Israeli occupation amid ongoing devastating warfare.
This partially autonomous status makes formal recognition largely symbolic but politically significant-a strong moral statement without immediate tangible changes on ground.
This symbolism matters greatly: Former british Foreign Secretary David lammy stated at a July UN speech: “The UK has a special responsibility toward supporting a two-state solution.” He referenced Britain’s historic Balfour Declaration (1917), where his predecessor Arthur Balfour expressed UK support for establishing “a national home for Jewish people in Palestine,” coupled with serious assurances “that nothing would be done which might prejudice civil or religious rights” for existing non-Jewish communities there. Supporters note Lord balfour never explicitly mentioned Palestinians or their national rights-but Britain’s mandate over pre-1948 Palestine left many unresolved international questions regarding territory now comprising Israel.”
Israel was established in 1948; attempts at creating an equivalent independent Palestinian state stalled repeatedly due to multiple reasons. As Lammy noted politicians habitually invoke “two-state solution” referring to establishment within West Bank/Gaza-but persistent illegal Israeli settlements have rendered it almost meaningless on ground despite worldwide endorsements.”
“Roman Luboff,” professor of international law at Aix-Marseille University in southern France described recognizing Palestine as one of most complex issues under international law during an interview with AFP reporters. He saeid nations freely choose timing/formality on such recognitions resulting in overt or implicit differences how they engage with it.
No central registry exists documenting which governments have recognized states; even though Palestinian authorities compile informal lists based on declarations they receive-which remain subjective assessments according to Luboff.
The scholar added recognition neither creates nor negates existence-as unrecognized entities may still function de facto states-but carries great symbolic-political weight accordingly about three-quarters globally agree Palestinians fulfill criteria needed for sovereign statehood.
“Philip Sands,”a French-British lawyer & legal professor wrote August 2025 op-ed for New York Times stating: “While some see it as purely symbolic-it could actually shift dynamics profoundly as once you recognize State of Palestine… you place both Israel & Palestinians equally under applicable international laws.”
Political And Legal Consequences Of Official Recognition In International Forums
The Al Jazeera report stressed these recognitions mark pivotal steps politically & legally jeopardizing hardline members within israeli cabinet.
The Palestinian Authority considers official acknowledgment crucial aligning politically-legal efforts aiming ultimately toward ending occupation & founding legitimate sovereign statehood.
Ahd al-Deek-with advisory role hosting ministry foreign affairs & migrants spoke exclusively with Al Jazeera noting that: “Palestine regards these acts brave aligned strongly both ethically/legalistically alongside UN legitimacy resolutions supporting efforts terminating occupation achieving peace-in addition underscoring paramount right especially self-determination among palestinians.” Ahd al-Deek added accordingly following recognitions,Palestine will pursue full U.N membership beyond current observer status, intensify political/diplomatic/legal/international initiatives targeting several goals:
- Pursue accountability/prosecution against occupiers responsible for war crimes;
- Deter unilateral settlement expansions enforcing compliance ≥ intl legitimacy resolutions + Arab Peace Initiative;
- sustain reinforce internationally recognized legal personality & authority attributed within State Challenge framework;
- Create robust relationships expanding diplomatic cooperation across sectors among various countries;
This official further outlined ensuing diplomatic gains post-recognition include:
- An elevation from mission level delegations into embassies raising flag protocols accordingly;
- Certain host nation receptions granting diplomat credentials at highest levels reflecting ambassadorial status representing sovereign authority altogether.”
Why Does This Symbolic Move Matter?
“Bilal Al-Shobaki,” Political Science Professor at Hebron University told Al Jazeera expanding outlook about rising nation count officially backing State amid prevailing Zionist regime attempts erasing Palestinain question preventing sovereignty formation stating:
“Given israel’s policies aimed deliberately thwarting two-state solution prospects-the timing here holds great significance along intensified regional political confrontations.”
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Zionists Will Tighten Repression In Response.
The analyst asserted although momentous yet seemingly modest initiative since primary priority remains halting genocide occurring currently inside Gaza strip.
Several governments employ such recognitions instrumentally exerting pressure punish Israeli military aggression/or force halting massacres besides contemplating broader sanctions/diplomatic severances options available against Tel Aviv administration.
Al-Shobaki forecast expanded oppressive measures initiated across West Bank anticipating latest nationwide official endorsements-they will try neutralize effects converting potential operational effectivenessto psychological factor instead only keeping broken political leverage minimal.”
Recognition Holds Purely Symbolic Dimensions
“Adnan hamidan,”a specialist focused on British affairs remarked UK’s acknowledgment bears profound signals surpassing standard policy declarations given historical involvement issuing Balfour Declaration linking responsibility directly behind hardships endured by Palestinians attention gaining compelling justification acknowledging modern-day ruins inflicted therein.
Upon elaborating Hamidan notes though this will never compensate settler-colonial crimes throughout historical landscape indefinitely benefiting Zionist entity yet marks fundamental evolution redefining UK mainstream politics also broadcast critical message internationally confirming true narrative voiced emphatically by besieged Gazans insisting irrepressible entitlement refusing annihilation imposed historically or contemporaneously.
He adds decision leaves no impact shifting balance geopolitically materially yet reshapes emblematic stances transforming later into potent principled tool advancing diplomatic struggle contesting oppressive expansionism.
Highlighting especially Britain’s act he stresses move integrates wider European/international discourse signaling silence no longer viable course possibly catalyzing acceleration global momentum applying pressure demanding further formal acceptance paving way placing question prominently atop core foreign policy priorities internationally.”
A Belated And Hollow Step
Suhail Khaliliyah, expert specializing settlement activities shared remarks concerning anticipated reactions from Zionist regime following ongoing wave supporting formal Egyptian(typo?)State acknowledgments claiming accelerated colonial projects underway notably inside East Jerusalem’s E1 zone engulfing nearby villages annexed presently bringing new territorial seizures….
He deemed official signings tardy explaining had occured some twenty years ago content possessed resonance beyond present perception meanwhile tel Aviv exploits delays amplifying own agenda successfully ignoring attached normative principles envisioned peacefully.
