Recognition Of The Palestinian State Will Motivate Acceleration Towards A Two-State Solution

JAKARTA - The recognition of the Palestinian State by leading Western countries will trigger an acceleration towards a two-state solution, the head of the Palestinian mission in London said on Tuesday.

Britain, France, Canada, Australia, and Belgium have all said they will recognize the Palestinian state at the United Nations General Assembly later this month, although London could stop the process if Israel defuses the humanitarian crisis in Gaza which is ravaged by war and committed to a long-term peace process.

The measures were designed to pressure Israel to end its attacks on Gaza and limit the construction of new Jewish settlements in the occupied West Bank, but some have questioned whether the recognition was only symbolic.

"I think this will be a first step towards what we expect as an acceleration, not even a march, towards implementing a two-state solution, and we expect an active, effective, and meaningful role from Britain," Husam Zomlot, head of the Palestinian Mission in London told Reuters. September 3.

Israel, which faces global condemnation for its actions in the Gaza war, reacted angrily to the signal of recognition, saying recognition would reward Hamas.

The two-state solution is the idea of Palestine and Israel being able to coexist peacefully - a Palestinian state in the territory Israel captured in the 1967 war.

However, the proposal became less feasible over time, as Israel had accelerated the construction of Jewish settlements in occupied territories, while both sides remained firm on uncompromising positions on core issues including the border, the fate of Palestinian refugees, and the status of Jerusalem.

Zomlot said Britain's move was significant because of its role in supporting "national homes for Jews in Palestine" in 1917. He said it was not too late to reach a two-state solution, and he hoped the momentum built at the United Nations would encourage Israel to dismantle its settlements.

"After we create sufficient pressure - meaningful pressure - I guarantee, it's very possible," he said.

It is known, the United Nations International Court stated that by 2024, Israel's occupation of the Palestinian territories and their settlements there were illegal and had to be withdrawn as soon as possible.

Meanwhile, Israel's far-right group rejects the Palestinian State, saying its areas that have been expanded have not been legally occupied because they are on disputed land. The Israeli government cites historical and alkitabiah relations with these regions.