https://arab.news/9x8gq
In the tangled web of geopolitics and moral responsibility, recognition of Palestine stands today not merely as a diplomatic choice, but as a litmus test of integrity, courage, and commitment to global justice. As the world watches yet another cycle of suffering unfold, it is time to call out the procrastinators, praise the bold, and demand that the international community act unilaterally in embracing the two-state solution — starting with the immediate recognition of Palestine.
The UK’s recent stance — threatening to recognize Palestine if Israel fails to meet certain conditions — encapsulates the paradox of delayed justice. “Too little, too late” is apt for a nation that played a pivotal role in creating the current geopolitical landscape. Yet, “better late than never” is equally valid if London finally chooses to right historical wrongs. Former colonial powers such as Britain and France share a legacy of deep entanglement in the Middle East, and the latter’s courageous move to recognize Palestine deserves both praise and emulation.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warns that recognition of Palestine equates to rewarding Hamas — a curious argument, given that his government’s long-term policies over more than 16 years have emboldened the very group he now seeks to vilify. Netanyahu’s devious support for Hamas is well-documented. “For years, Netanyahu propped up Hamas. Now it’s blown up in our faces,” read a headline in The Times of Israel in the immediate aftermath of the horrible Oct. 7 attacks. In 2019, the Israeli leader reportedly said: “Those who want to thwart the establishment of a Palestinian state should support the strengthening of Hamas.”
