The widespread international push for Palestinian statehood

SHIFTING TIDES

- ABBEY MAKOE

THE tide is turning - and ata blistering pace - for the recognition of the Palestinian statehood by a growing majority of the nations of the world.

As of this year, 147 out of the 193 UN member-states officially recognize the State of Palestine.

At the end of a widely publicized conference on the Middle East held in New York this week, 15 predominantly Western nations undertook to recognize the Palestinian statehood.

Represented by their ministers of foreign affairs, the following countries nailed their colours to the mast, once and for all. They are: Canada, France, Australia, Ireland, Finland, Iceland, New Zealand, Portugal, Norway, Spain, Slovenia, Malta, San Marino, Andorra, and Luxembourg.

Why does this matter? It matters the most because, for far too long, the plight of the Palestinian people has been ignored by the bulk of the nations of the world. Let me paraphrase: The suffering of the Palestinian people has been aided and abetted by the vast majority of the world’s most influential countries.

The unfolding drastic changes in global relations once more prove a pertinent point: Evil can never triumph over good, no matter how long it takes.

There have been times, times too many to count, when the temptation to give up the pursuit of Palestinian freedom appeared too appealing, and appeasing.

The father of Palestinian freedom, Yasser Arafat, and hundreds of thousands of other Palestinians had lived and died for a free Palestine. As is the case with the blood of freedom fighters, their blood is never shed in vain. It nourishes the course for which men, women, and children give their lives. It expedites the attainment of the goal of liberty and freedom.