Why in news?

At the UN General Assembly, France joined the UK, Canada, Australia, and several European nations in recognising Palestine statehood. Israel strongly criticised the move, calling it a reward for terrorism.

What’s in Today’s Article?

• Impact of Palestine Recognition on Gaza War
• The Question of Palestinian Statehood
• Israel’s Response to Growing Recognition of Palestine
• India’s Stand on Palestine

Impact of Palestine Recognition on Gaza War

• Palestine enjoys wide international recognition, has diplomatic missions, and competes in global events.
• Yet, it lacks agreed borders, a capital, and full sovereignty due to Israel’s occupation of the West Bank and Gaza.
• Recognition is thus symbolic, signaling moral and political support rather than immediate change on the ground.
• The growing recognition of Palestinian statehood adds diplomatic pressure but has little effect on the Gaza war.
• Israel continues its offensive, with Netanyahu declaring the war will persist regardless of hostage releases.
• While some European states are restricting military exports, the US maintains unconditional support, recently approving $6.4 billion in arms sales.
  • Germany also remains a key supplier, alongside Washington, together accounting for over 90% of Israel’s defence imports.
• Thus, despite international momentum, recognition alone has minimal impact on halting the conflict.

The Question of Palestinian Statehood

• Under the 1933 Montevideo Convention, statehood requires defined territory, a permanent population, a government, and capacity for international relations.
• For Palestine, these pillars remain contested under Israeli occupation.
• Territory
  • Palestinian lands — West Bank, East Jerusalem, and Gaza — are effectively under Israel’s control.
  • Settlement expansion and annexation efforts further erode prospects of territorial sovereignty.
• Permanent Population
  • The Gaza war has devastated the population, with over 65,000 deaths estimated and widespread famine.
  • Such conditions threaten the very survival of Palestinians as a people.
• Government
  • The Palestinian Authority (PA) governs limited West Bank areas, while Hamas controls Gaza under blockade.
  • Calls for PA reform and Hamas’ disarmament highlight governance challenges, leaving sovereignty curtailed.
• International Recognition
  • Global recognition strengthens Palestine’s ability to engage diplomatically, even as effective control of land, population, and governance remains compromised.
  • Recognition thus primarily boosts Palestine’s lobbying capacity on the world stage.

Israel’s Response to Growing Recognition of Palestine

• Israel has reacted to increasing global recognition of Palestine by intensifying military action and deepening its occupation.
• After the UK’s recognition, Prime Minister Netanyahu vowed that a Palestinian state “will never be established” and claimed credit for blocking it despite international pressure.
• Similar defiance followed the UNGA’s vote for a two-state solution.
• Each escalation on the ground in Gaza and the West Bank strengthens Israel’s control, further diminishing the feasibility of a Palestinian state.

India’s Stand on Palestine

• India has long supported the Palestinian cause as part of its foreign policy.
• In 1974, India became the first non-Arab state to recognize the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO).
• In 1988, India was among the first to recognize the State of Palestine.
• In 1996, India opened its Representative Office in Gaza, later moved to Ramallah in 2003.
• Support at Multilateral Fora
  • India has actively supported Palestine at global platforms.
  • Backed UN resolutions affirming Palestinians’ right to self-determination and urging Israeli compliance with international law.
  • Supported Palestine’s status as a UN non-member state and, in 2011, voted for its full membership in UNESCO.
• Policy Approach
  • India advocates a negotiated Two-State solution, seeking a sovereign, independent, and viable Palestinian state coexisting peacefully with Israel.
    • The Two-State solution refers to establishing a Palestinian state in the West Bank and Gaza, with East Jerusalem as its capital, based on pre-1967 borders.
  • It emphasizes diplomacy, dialogue, de-escalation, and early resumption of peace talks.