More recognition of Palestine state could strengthen Netanyahu
Laura Blumenfeld, a Middle East analyst at the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies in Washington, DC, says the decision by Norway, Ireland, and Spain was “diplomatically bold but emotionally tone deaf and unproductive”.
“For Israelis it will increase paranoia, reinforcing Netanyahu’s argument that Israelis stand alone,” said Blumenfeld. “For Palestinians, it falsely raises expectations without defining a pathway toward realising legitimate national dreams.”
For Alon Liel, a former director general of Israel’s Foreign Ministry and a critic of Netanyahu’s government, the recognition of Palestine by individual countries is less important than the broader context, including cases against Israel and its leaders at the international tribunals in The Hague.
“If it’s part of a wider move that’s triggering momentum and part of the ICC, ICJ moves, sanctions on settlers and so on, there’s a chance that Israel will notice that the world exists,” said Liel.
No, this is tone deaf. Norway, Ireland and Spain did not retract their recognition of the state of Israel. This is not against Israel, this is pro Palestine. When will these people learn that there is more than A xor B. A 2 state solution, which is what Norway, Ireland and Spain are advocating for is A and B. Just as the ICC seeks arrests warrants for both Hamas and the Israeli government.
Isrealis need to learn that Palestinians are people as well, with human rights, just like Israelis. Israelis only stand alone in sustaining (well not quite alone with the US and most of western Europe still backing) the occupation, apartheid and ongoing genocide in Gaza.
It's the US that gets further and further isolated in upholding their green light for Israel to do whatever it wants to Palestinians.
Colombia to open embassy in Ramallah: Minister
Speaking to reporters, Foreign Minister Luis Gilberto Murillo says the Latin American country’s President Gustavo Petro has ordered the opening of an embassy in Ramallah. The move comes weeks after Petro, Colombia’s first leftist leader, cut diplomatic ties with Israel over the war in Gaza.
“President Petro has given the order that we open the Colombian embassy in Ramallah, the representation of Colombia in Ramallah, that is the next step we are going to take,” Murillo said.
Petro has heavily criticised Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and requested to join South Africa’s case accusing Israel of genocide at the International Court of Justice.
Slovenia to decide if it will recognise Palestinian statehood: Diplomat
Speaking to Al Jazeera, Slovenia’s ambassador to the UN, Samuel Zbogar, may soon join other European countries in formally recognising a Palestinian state.
He said the country’s foreign minister has travelled “very extensively” in the Middle East, and the government will finalise its internal discussions by June 13.
“We want to create a momentum which was created this morning by three countries. [We] want to continue that momentum and in that way to help stabilise the situation on the ground, as well as creating momentum for a two-state solution, which is now somehow on the shelf,” he told Al Jazeera from UN headquarters in New York.
That would make it 13 out of 27 EU members to recognize Palestine.
