Palestine: is vote to recognise state courageous or harmful?
MPs are likely to back a motion calling on the UK government to recognise the Palestinian state
The House of Commons will vote next week on whether Britain should unilaterally recognise the state of Palestine, in a move that is likely to provoke renewed debate about the stalled search for peace in the Middle East.
MPs on both sides of the debate predict the motion will be passed after Ed Miliband ordered his MPs to back it. Most Liberal Democrat MPs and a number of Tory backbenchers are also planning to vote in favour of the symbolic resolution.
Although the motion will not be binding, if it passes "it would nevertheless have profound international consequences", The Independent says.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
More than 134 countries around the world currently recognise the state of Palestine, but the majority of Western European and North American nations do not. However, the tide could be changing. Last week Sweden became the first major EU country to officially recognise Palestine.
Alan Duncan MP, who backs the motion from the Tory benches, said: "There is no reason to seek Israeli permission for Palestinian recognition. It is their right and we should feel a moral duty to support it."
However, Tory MP Guto Bebb has laid down an amendment stating that such recognition should only come as a result of "successful peace negotiations between the Israeli government and the Palestinian Authority". He claims the resolution contradicts both "common sense" and "UK government policy".
The motion comes amid growing fears that the prospect of a two-state solution is dying. As far back as 2012, then foreign secretary William Hague warned: "If progress on negotiations is not made next year, then the two-state solution could become impossible to achieve."
Two years on the peace process is still in stalemate and the issue remains as contentious as ever. The Israeli government reacted furiously to Sweden's move last week, calling in the Swedish ambassador for a reprimand.
But the senior Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erakat hailed Sweden's recognition as "courageous", while Nabil Abu Rudeina, spokesman for Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas, said: "The time has come for the entire world to recognise the Palestinian state."
The US State department described Sweden's move as "premature". A spokesperson said: "We certainly support Palestinian statehood, but it can only come through a negotiated outcome, a resolution of final status issues, and mutual recognition by both parties."
In the West, even within each side of the debate there is disagreement. Most pro-Israelis oppose unilateral moves to recognise Palestine. The Zionist Federation argues: "To grant Palestinians statehood at this premature juncture sends a harmful message that negotiations can be circumvented and dialogue ignored, rewarding intransigence over compromise."
Those in the opposite camp have mixed feelings. Arguing that "the time has come for Britain to back a Palestinian state", Peter Oborne of the Daily Telegraph, a long-term critic of Israeli policy, says he can "sense change".
He writes: "The Gazan atrocities, as well as Mr Netanyahu's shameless disregard of international law over his settlement building programme, has created a new mood."
However, some pro-Palestinian commentators oppose next week's motion. Author and leading activist Ali Abunimah argues that passing the motion could "harm" Palestinians. He writes: "While recognizing the 'State of Palestine' excites and pleases many who support the Palestinian cause, people should not to get carried away with the aesthetics of 'statehood' in what would amount to a 'bantustan' [an area set aside for black people in apartheid South Africa]."
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
'Making a police state out of the liberal university'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Harold Maass, The Week US Published
-
8 looming climate tipping points that imperil our planet
The Explainer New reports detail the thresholds we may be close to crossing
By Devika Rao, The Week US Published
-
Try 6 free issues of The Week Junior
Spark your child's curiosity with The Week Junior - the award-winning current affairs magazine for 8-14s.
By The Week Published
-
Russia gains as Ukraine awaits US aid
Speed Read Ukrainian forces have retreated from several villages as the situation at the front line worsens
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Haiti interim council, prime minister sworn in
Speed Read Prime Minister Ariel Henry resigns amid surging gang violence
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Myanmar: the Spring Revolution and the downfall of the generals
Talking Point An armed protest movement has swept across the country since the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi was overthrown in 2021
By The Week Staff Published
-
Israel hits Iran with retaliatory airstrike
Speed Read The attack comes after Iran's drone and missile barrage last weekend
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Is there a peaceful way forward for Israel and Iran?
Today's Big Question Tehran has initially sought to downplay the latest Israeli missile strike on its territory
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Sudan on brink of collapse after a year of war
Speed Read 18 million people face famine as the country continues its bloody downward spiral
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
How powerful is Iran?
Today's big question Islamic republic is facing domestic dissent and 'economic peril' but has a vast military, dangerous allies and a nuclear threat
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
US, Israel brace for Iran retaliatory strikes
Speed Read An Iranian attack on Israel is believed to be imminent
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published