Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks on the fourth day of the 80th session of the General Debate in the U.N. General Assembly Hall in New York on Friday. Many seats were empty because delegations walked out before he spoke. Photo by Peter Foley/UPI | License Photo
BEIRUT, Sept. 26 (UPI) -- The growing international recognition of a Palestinian state, galvanized by Israel's horrific and widely described "genocidal" war in Gaza, has been seen as a long-overdue affirmation of the Palestinian people's right to self-determination and of their very existence.
However, this fresh wave of support will remain ineffective and without real impact unless the international community takes concrete action, including imposing real sanctions on Israel to stop the war in Gaza, end West Bank annexation plans and accept a genuine two-state solution, according to Palestinian and Arab political analysts.
At the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly earlier this week, additional countries -- including France and Belgium -- joined Canada, Australia, Portugal and the United Kingdom in recognizing Palestine, bringing the total to 156, or nearly 81% of the U.N.'s 193 member states. More countries are expected to follow suit soon.
