Palestine recognition could go beyond symbolism
Statehood creates grounds for greater legitimacy of action against Israel
Following months of Israeli assaults and atrocities in the Gaza Strip, a new wave of recognition of Palestine has emerged from several governments, including some in the West. Also, on September 12, the United Nations General Assembly, in its 79th session, adopted with 142 votes in favor a resolution known as the “New York Declaration,” calling for the establishment of an independent Palestinian state.
Such moves were intended to end aggression and uphold the rights of the Palestinian people. Yet it remains unclear to what extent such diplomatic steps—viewed by some as largely symbolic—can stop ongoing crimes or bring meaningful change to the lives of Palestinians.
Abed Akbari, an international affairs expert, told Iran Daily in an exclusive interview that recognition of a Palestinian state could pave the ground for greater action against Israel. Here is more.
IRAN DAILY: Given the wave of recognition of Palestine by several governments, can this be considered an effective step toward establishing a Palestinian state?
AKBARI: The recent recognition of Palestine is a positive development in international diplomacy and signals a shift in global political attitudes toward the Palestinian struggle. While these steps alone cannot deliver a fully-fledged state, they strengthen Palestine’s legal and political standing and may serve as a foundation for claims in international organizations. Nevertheless, the creation of a real state requires changes on the ground and an end to occupation. For now, this recognition represents symbolic and legal capital which—if coupled with political, economic and legal pressure on the Israeli regime—could in practice help advance the Palestinian people’s rights.
Since the United States and Israel have openly opposed the establishment of a Palestinian state, what obstacles can they put in its way?
Washington and Tel Aviv hold multiple levers to block Palestinian statehood. The US, through its veto power at the Security Council, has already closed off the path to full UN membership—by far the most significant legal and institutional barrier. Politically and economically, Washington can also pressure states that have recognized Palestine, halting the spread of this movement. Meanwhile, the Israeli regime is undermining the prospect of Palestinian sovereignty by expanding settlements, imposing security restrictions, and carrying out unilateral measures on the ground. This is the strategy of creating facts on the ground, which effectively overshadows any political decision.
Some argue this is merely a symbolic gesture by Western states to deflect public anger over their silence and inaction in stopping Israeli crimes in Gaza, a way of showing they did ‘something.’ What is your take on this?
That assessment is partly accurate. Public outrage in Europe and beyond—particularly after the massacres in Gaza—forced Western governments to take up such measures to dampen domestic and international protests.
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