Why withhold recognition if Isreal accepts two states? Unless the UK gov wants withholding recognition to be a reward for Isreal to get the Israelis to pay lip service to two states but not have to actually mean it?
Replies
It's a good tactic to encourage Israeli policy change. Hopefully other European countries do the same. It's worth a go, even if ultimately futile. And Starmer's statement made it pretty clear that 'lip service' to a two-state solution wouldn't cut it.
jul 29, 2025, 4:32 pm • 0 0 • view
Sorry, I still don’t get it. Why not recognise Palestine anyway?
jul 29, 2025, 4:36 pm • 0 0 • view
Because simply recognising a Palestinian state won't produce a Palestinian state. Circumstances must actually change on the ground for it to happen. And the best way that occurs is for Israel to recommit to a two-state solution. So it's worth using it as leverage to attempt the optimal outcome.
jul 29, 2025, 4:42 pm • 0 0 • view
Ok, thanks. I hope you are right. I worry it’s about words and not deeds. If Isreal were to genuinely accept two states they’ll be recognising Palestine themselves as part of that.
jul 29, 2025, 4:51 pm • 0 0 • view
Fortunately, I strongly suspect the UK and other countries won't consider some ambiguous and performative Israeli govt statement about wanting peace with Palestinians to be anywhere near satisfactory.
jul 29, 2025, 4:54 pm • 1 0 • view