The recent recognition of the state of Palestine by Britain, Australia, and Canada adds an unprecedented degree of insult to the injury suffered by the Palestinian people, appearing hypocritical amid Israel’s violent Gaza campaign.

Historical Background

• Balfour Declaration (1917): Promised a homeland for Jews in Palestine to secure support during World War I.
• British Mandate Period: Encouraged large-scale Jewish migration, laying the foundation of modern Israel.
• Post-1967 War: Israel’s settlement project, promoted under Labour governments, was based on the Zionist idea of Palestine as “a land without people for a people without land.

The Illusion of Autonomy and Symbolic Recognition

• Palestinian Authority: Exists largely to create an illusion of self-rule, while real power remains with Israel.
• Israeli Settlements: Expansion in the West Bank continues, seizing fertile land and consolidating Jewish dominance, further marginalising Palestinians.
• Western Alignment:
  • Britain has historically supported Israeli policies, closely aligned with the United States.
  • The recent recognition of Palestine by Britain, Australia, and Canada is seen as a symbolic gesture to calm global anger over Gaza, rather than a substantive shift.
• Symbolism vs Reality:
  • Such recognitions do not bring structural change, only the appearance of progress.
  • With continuous annexation of Palestinian land, the two-state solution has become increasingly unworkable, leaving Palestinians confined in fragmented, powerless territories.

Way Forward

• Defining the Single State: Address the nature of the state that now exists between the Jordan River and the Mediterranean, including Gaza.
• Ensuring Equal Rights: Prioritise a system that guarantees equal rights for all citizens rather than a two-tier system for Palestinians.
• Beyond the Two-State Illusion: The international community should recognise that the two-state solution is no longer viable and engage with the current reality.
• Pursuing Justice and Sustainability: Policies must focus on achieving a fair and lasting resolution for all populations in the region.

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