US and Israel only hurdles to recognising Palestine

The past week has seen significant developments on the regional scene which could have long-lasting and transformational impacts. Key Western nations were among 10 new countries to recognise a Palestinian state ahead of and during the opening session of the United Nations General Assembly.

- Michael Jansen, Political Correspondent

People protest against Israel in front of the German parliament Reichstag during a mass demonstration called 'All Eyes on Gaza' in support of Palestinians in Berlin, Germany, on Saturday.

(Associated Press)

Britain, France, Australia, Canada, Portugal, Luxembourg, Belgium, Malta, Monaco, and Andorra joined [47 of the UN's 193 members in recognising Palestine 37 years after the Palestine National Council met in Algiers and declared independence.

The addition of Britain and France to Russia and China means Palestine has been recognised by four out of five members of the UN Security Council with Israel’s ally, the US, remaining outside the consensus.

While this does not mean a Palestinian state will spring from the soil of recognition, it signifies that the emergence of a Palestinian state is essential for the attainment of peace and stability in this region. Global recognition for Palestine makes Israel and the US, which refuse to accept Palestine, the obstacles to this goal and puts them permanently on the wrong side of history at a time settler-colonial regimes have long since disappeared.

‘A United Nations commission of inquiry has ruled that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza by killing and wounding Palestinians and inflicting conditions meant to destroy them, including preventing births. The commission said that statements by Israeli leaders and actions by Israeli military forces demonstrate genocidal intent. This ruling undermines the claim Israel makes that it is operating in self-defence to justify its actions although they violate international law and humanitarian norms. Israel’s claim is now seen as being far from the truth.