Recognition of Palestine: A Shift in Western Policy and its Historical Context
UPSC Relevance
Prelims: International Relations (Israel-Palestine Conflict, Two-State Solution, United Nations), World History (Balfour Declaration, Sykes-Picot Agreement, British Mandate for Palestine).
Mains:
GS Paper 1: History of the world will include events from 18th century such as industrial revolution, world wars, redrawal of national boundaries... (The Israel-Palestine conflict is a direct outcome of this).
GS Paper 2: Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India’s interests; Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests.
Key Highlights from the News
In the context of the war in Gaza, Western countries like Britain, France, Canada, and Portugal are preparing to recognize the state of Palestine.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced that Britain would recognize Palestine in September if Israel does not agree to a ceasefire and accept the two-state formula.
This marks a significant shift from the previous stance of Western countries, which was to recognize Palestine only as part of a final diplomatic resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
147 out of 193 UN member states have already recognized Palestine.
If Britain and France also recognize Palestine, the United States, Israel's closest ally in the UN Security Council, will be isolated.
Britain was a prominent power that first supported the establishment of a Jewish state in Palestine through the Balfour Declaration in 1917. Therefore, Britain's new move has significant historical importance.
After World War I, Britain established a colonial rule in Palestine under the League of Nations Mandate.
The humanitarian crisis in Gaza and accusations of genocide against Israel are prompting Western countries to change their stance.
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