Only 9 EU countries recognized the Palestinian State

Leaders EU pledged to recognize the state of Palestine, but in reality only 9 of the 27 members of the European Union did so.

A quarter of a century has passed since, at a summit meeting, the leaders of the European Union pledged to “recognize the Palestinian state in due course.” But only 30% of member countries actually did this. Martin Konecny, director of the European Middle East Project, is convinced that if the entire alliance did this, it would be easier to achieve a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip now:

“The recognition issue is one of many examples of the discrepancy between the EU’s rhetorical support for a two-state peace solution that respects international law and the lack of action that actually leads to this. If this happens, it will be thanks to individual countries such as Belgium, Ireland, “Luxembourg, Spain, Portugal and, very importantly, France. Currently, the 9 EU member states that recognize Palestine are Sweden, Malta, Cyprus and six Eastern European countries. But today many of them are more likely to support Israel.”

Despite the EU’s internal divisions, its official position is that it is necessary to restart the peace process to achieve a two-state solution. The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Belgium, who took the post of President of the European Council, Hadja Lahbib, also advocates this:

“We are horrified when we see the number of dead and wounded. The destruction is increasing every day. We cannot remain indifferent to this. We must work for a solution. This is the only possible way. We need to return to the negotiating table, work to implement the two-state principle, allow Palestinians to live in peace and have a prospect for the future.”

Recognition of Palestine as a state by more countries has helped build confidence in its administration to operate in the Gaza Strip instead of Hamas. However, according to Martin Konieczny, the European Union must break another “taboo” associated with a sense of loyalty to Israel:

“We are also talking about the EU’s attitude towards illegal Jewish settlements in the West Bank, which in fact prevent the creation of a Palestinian State, since they occupy the territory on which this state should be created. We continue to trade with the settlers as if they were there legally. But at the same time we say that this Israeli policy is illegal. So this is another example of inconsistency.”

Almost 70% of UN members recognize the State of Palestine. At the General Assembly vote in December, 153 countries voted for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, while 6 EU countries voted against or abstained.

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