Aletho News

Zionist efforts against Palestinian statehood come crashing down

By Hannan Hussain | Al Mayadeen | April 21, 2024

What a sight.

In Europe, the Israeli occupation’s lobbying against a Palestinian state is falling apart fast. For years, pro-Zionist forces have sought to justify support for the illegal occupation and acquire a pass for genocidal atrocities committed in Gaza. But rising initiative in Europe, particularly from Spain and Ireland, shows that “Israel” is no one to influence attitudes towards Palestinian liberties. The occupation regime’s prolonged onslaught on Gaza is only fueling statehood momentum in Europe.

Begin with Spain. Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares recently said that all EU members must recognize Palestinian statehood “in a coordinated manner without delay.” Madrid’s initiative is part of a wider effort to engage with European capitals in the face of Israeli belligerence. More nations such as Ireland, Malta, and Slovenia have expressed their readiness to recognize Palestine, marking a departure from collective silence over Israeli war crimes, mass slaughter, and belligerence.

Europe has long maintained silence on the issue, caving into Israeli occupation lobbying and preferring to overlook Palestinian freedoms. But Brussels knows that its position is increasingly untenable. It needs to understand that the path to enduring peace is one that is negotiated on Palestine’s own terms, beginning with the long-delayed recognition of the state itself – an undeniable fact.

Zionist lobbying is bound to hit more brick walls. Consider EU’s High Representative for Foreign and Security Policy, Josep Borrell: he recently convened a gathering of all bloc foreign ministers to project bloc unity and muster consensus on the crisis. By continuing such attempts, Brussels stands a better chance to gain an autonomous outlook on the root causes of “Israel’s” war on Gaza. After all, “Israel” wants to keep such prospects out of sight, and frets at its possibility. For instance, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu balks at the prospect of a Palestinian state, because this would demand an end to the illegal occupation itself.

Now as more countries in Europe open up dialogue on the all-important statehood issue, Brussels needs to keep pushing towards a unified approach. After all, there is a growing realization among some states that the “only way to achieve peace and security” is to recognize the Palestinian state. This is important because “Israel” has long benefitted from EU’s divided approach towards Palestinian liberties, as only eight EU states presently recognize Palestinian statehood. This broad-based indifference needs to end.

A joint approach could also play an important role in coordinating differences among several European countries. This would demand a process-driven approach which the occupation frets. Consider the fact that “Israel” has banked on the pro-Israeli support of countries such as Germany to do its bidding in the past. It feels it can skirt accountability for its war crimes as long as scores of countries turn a blind eye to the fundamental and inalienable rights of Palestinians. The EU’s course correction is thus long overdue, and more states appear to realize that. In order to truly deliver justice and lasting stability, it is imperative for the EU to address the root causes that have sustained this status-quo of oppression, largely through Europe’s own sponsorship.

Interestingly, “Israel’s” unwarranted provocations with Iran, and its push to expand genocidal spillovers, could add more fuel to the statehood momentum. For instance, Portugal says it could potentially recognize Palestine if the EU demonstrates a joint approach on the matter. As “Israel’s” protracted regional war prompts more fears in European capitals, scrutiny is once again razor-focused on bringing an end to this vicious cycle of instability. That cycle demands principled action on Palestinian statehood.

“Israel’s” pro-occupation media machinery would unquestionably downplay momentum for statehood in Europe, and project “Israel’s” genocidal interests as central to Europe’s own. This is largely because changing attitudes among European states are a direct threat to “Israel’s” system of apartheid, land theft, settler violence, and state-sponsored violence on Palestinian soil for decades. Moreover, “Israel’s” blatant lobbying against a statehood consensus in Europe cannot alter the facts on the ground: many countries are taking Palestine’s long-due recognition with greater seriousness than seen in some time.

Look no further than Italy’s Deputy Prime Minister Antonio Tajani. He recently spoke about the possibility of a Palestinian state that is recognized with the support of other countries. Not too long ago, such statements and references to Palestinian statehood were seen as taboos in Europe at the policy level. But “Israel’s” ongoing genocide has delivered a reality check over many EU assumptions favoring the occupation.

True, it is a long road ahead for the EU bloc which entails many member states that are complicit in aiding “Israel’s” assault on Palestine. But Spain and Ireland’s combined resolve to muster broad-based EU support on Palestinian statehood, in defiance of Israeli lobbying, is proof that much can be accomplished to the detriment of pro-Zionist forces.

Europe’s history of shielding “Israel” from war crimes and international accountability demands that it comes through.

April 21, 2024 - Posted by aletho | Ethnic Cleansing, Racism, Zionism | European Union, Ireland, Israel, Palestine, Spain, Zionism