The recognition of the State of Palestine by a growing number of countries represents a crucial turning point in the geopolitics of the Middle East and contemporary diplomatic history.

This act of validation not only grants international political legitimacy to Palestine but also fully supports its right to self-determination, sovereignty, and its right to participate as a full-fledged actor in multilateral organizations such as the United Nations (UN) and the International Criminal Court (ICC).

In these forums, Palestine has the opportunity to denounce war crimes and fight for the protection of the human rights of its population, which is frequently subjected to conflict and humanitarian crises.

Currently, around 146 UN member states officially recognize the Palestinian state, a number that has continued to grow since its formal proclamation of independence in 1988 during a session of the Palestinian National Council in Algeria.

Over the past two years, this support has significantly strengthened with the addition of European countries such as Spain, Norway, Ireland, Slovenia, Armenia, and, most recently, France’s pledge to officially join in 2025.

These nations, which in the past maintained more neutral or European bloc-aligned positions, are now advancing a different narrative based on humanitarian urgency and political justice.

Historical Context: The Deep Roots of the Conflict

To understand the current significance of these recognitions, it is necessary to analyze the complex history surrounding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

From the 19th century until the fall of the Ottoman Empire after World War I, the region known as Palestine was predominantly inhabited by an Arab-Palestinian population, primarily Muslim and Christian, with a Jewish minority that did not exceed 5%.

However, the rise of Zionism in Europe in the late 19th century promoted the migration and land purchases by European Jews with the support of international organizations, a dynamic that would generate increasing tensions between the two communities.

In 1917, the Balfour Declaration, issued by the United Kingdom, was a decisive element that marked a dramatic shift. In this document, the UK expressed its support for the establishment of a “national home for the Jewish people” in Palestine, a decision with profound political consequences that disregarded the aspirations of the majority Arab-Palestinian population.

This initiated a period marked by mass Jewish migration to Palestine and the creation of paramilitary movements like the Haganah in response to Palestinian protests and uprisings during 1929 and 1936-1939.

In 1947, the UN proposed the partition of Palestine through Resolution 181, seeking to divide the territory into two states: one Jewish and one Arab, with Jerusalem under a special international regime.

The proposal allocated 55% of the land to Israel and 45% to Palestine. However, this solution was rejected by Arab representatives, leading to the 1948 Arab-Israeli war, the creation of the State of Israel, and the so-called Nakba, which resulted in the exodus of hundreds of thousands of Palestinians.

Despite securing Israel’s survival, the conflict did not disappear. Over the decades, successive wars, military occupations, and Palestinian uprisings, such as the First (1987-1993) and Second Intifada (2000), have shaped the region.

The international community has repeatedly insisted, through resolutions like UN Security Council Resolution 242 (1967), on the need for a two-state solution and Israeli withdrawal from occupied territories, but peace remains an unfinished task.

The Process of International Recognition and Its Evolution

The formal proclamation of the Palestinian State on November 15, 1988, by the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) in Algeria, was a crucial step.

This act was based on UN resolutions, particularly Resolution 181, and since then, international recognition has gradually expanded.

Latin America, Africa, and Asia were the first to join en masse, followed slowly by European countries, which had traditionally maintained a more cautious stance influenced by diplomatic and geopolitical alliances with Israel.

The year 2024 marked a significant advance with the official decisions of Spain, Ireland, Norway, and Slovenia to recognize the Palestinian State.

These joint decisions not only symbolize a break from the critical mass of states that had not done so, but also represent a strong response to the unprecedented humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the paralysis of the peace process.

In Spain, the government led by Pedro Sánchez emphasized that this measure seeks to contribute to a balanced solution based on respect for international law and the creation of two states coexisting in peace, with East Jerusalem as the Palestinian capital.

Armenia and other countries have also joined this trend, while France, through President Emmanuel Macron, announced that it will formalize recognition during the 2025 UN General Assembly, becoming the first major G7 power to do so.

These decisions reflect frustration with the lack of a unified and coherent stance within the European Union and a clear denunciation of the critical humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip.

Divergent Positions in Europe and Germany’s Role

Despite these movements, the European position is not homogeneous. Germany, as one of the most influential countries and traditionally committed to Israel’s security due to the memory of the Holocaust and its foreign policy shaped by historical responsibility, maintains a more cautious stance.

Berlin argues that the recognition of the Palestinian State should be the final outcome of a negotiated and mutually accepted process between Israelis and Palestinians, emphasizing that this must be achieved through direct negotiations rather than unilateral decisions that could hinder progress.

Nevertheless, Germany has also strongly criticized Israel’s military actions and the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, calling for an urgent ceasefire, the protection of civilians, and an end to the expansion of illegal settlements. This contrast highlights the complexity and plurality of European politics regarding the conflict.

Geopolitical and Diplomatic Consequences of Recognition

The recognition of the Palestinian State carries significant implications in the international and local arenas:

• Strengthens Palestine’s diplomatic position, legitimizing its struggle and expanding its participation in international organizations.
• Increases Israel’s diplomatic isolation, particularly as criticism of its actions in Gaza and the West Bank intensifies due to the humanitarian crisis.
• Sends a clear message to the international community about the exhaustion of traditional diplomatic efforts and the urgency of a solution based on the peaceful coexistence of two states.
• Enables denunciations in international forums of violations of international humanitarian law and war crimes, particularly at the ICC.
• Triggers rejection and diplomatic tensions from Israel, which views these actions as a “reward” for violence and terrorism a perspective shared by the U.S., Israel’s main ally.
• Empowers social and human rights movements demanding concrete measures such as an end to the occupation, civilian protection, and humanitarian aid.

However, despite these achievements, experts warn that recognitions must translate into concrete actions on the ground to be truly effective, as legitimacy and visibility are insufficient without an end to violence, the opening of humanitarian corridors, and the effective start of negotiations.

Underlying Motivations Behind the New Wave of Recognitions

The renewed wave of international recognition stems from various motivations reflecting both political and humanitarian concerns:

• The unprecedented humanitarian crisis in Gaza, with tens of thousands of civilian deaths, widespread famine, and massive destruction.
• The frustration of much of civil society and social movements denouncing what they consider genocide and war crimes, demanding strong actions from their governments.
• The prolonged stagnation of the peace process and the European Union’s inability to adopt a unified and forceful stance.
• The defense of international law, human rights, and justice as fundamental values for peaceful coexistence.

The Importance of the Two-State Solution and Lasting Peace

Recent recognitions should not be seen as an end in themselves but as a step toward building a real and viable solution.

The Palestinian National Authority, led by Mahmoud Abbas, has emphasized that the true goal is the creation of a sovereign and independent Palestinian state, with East Jerusalem as its capital, based on the 1967 borders.

Meanwhile, Palestinian communities directly affected by the conflict in Gaza and the West Bank lament that recognitions must be accompanied by immediate measures allowing humanitarian aid, an effective end to the Israeli occupation, and real protection of human rights and the dignity of the Palestinian people.

Diplomatic Victory, Human Reality

The recognition of the Palestinian State by a growing number of countries constitutes a historic milestone of great political and moral relevance on the international stage.

This support reinforces the legitimacy of the Palestinian cause and highlights the humanitarian and political crisis faced by its population.

However, to achieve lasting and just peace, these recognitions must be accompanied by meaningful dialogue between the parties and concrete commitments toward the creation of two states coexisting in peace and mutual respect.

Only through political will, respect for human rights, and international collaboration can a future be built where Palestinians live with justice, security, and dignity.

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