There is no doubt about the importance of the UN recognising Palestine as a state, and more importantly its acceptance as a full member state. If such recognition is given in September, it will confirm the importance of activating the option of international legitimacy. However, we should not get too excited about possible UN recognition; it would not mean an end to Israel’s occupation of Palestinian territory, for example, but it could be the start of a long political process. At the same time, it would shift some of the responsibility to bring about an end to the occupation on to the United Nations, for it is inconceivable that a member state of the UN could be occupied by another member; that would be contrary to the organisation’s Charter, and is contrary to the conditions of accession, which provide for the independence of the country requesting membership.
Leaders are lining up countries publicly supporting a Palestinian state before it is actually created.
In order to clarify the picture, we have to look at Palestine’s current status and how it is treated by the UN. Palestine was at first treated as an observer with no rights or responsibilities; a mere presence in the General Assembly and a number of functional agencies. Then the UN recognised Palestine as something more akin to an actual state, more than a self-governing authority, and on a higher level than observer status, but still less than a state. Full recognition may, therefore, be a continuation of this gradual process which would establish Palestinian rights on the international stage.
Categories: Israel, Middle East, Palestine
Start of a long political process? ‘roadmap’? ‘peace process’? I am afraid the Palestinians are allergic to ‘processes’. The ‘processes’ have already taken how long? 60 years?