Since October 7, Israel has killed over 35,000 innocent civilians in Gaza, forced more than 1 million people to flee, and even prevented humanitarian aid from entering, which is affecting the world's view of Palestine.
In Europe, Norway, Spain, and Ireland have officially decided to recognize Palestine. Additionally, it is known that many other countries will follow these steps.
Retaliation Steps:
Following these decisions in Europe, the Netanyahu government announced retaliation against the Palestinians by expanding the settler colonies. Israel responded to these decisions by reactivating a series of living units evacuated 20 years ago in the West Bank and imposing economic and political sanctions on the Palestinian Authority.
Furthermore, the Israeli government plans to establish 10,000 housing units in Israeli settlements in the West Bank, including the planned area known as "E1". This new settler colony aims to connect Jerusalem to a series of settlements in the eastern West Bank.
However, the steps taken by the Netanyahu government are not limited to this. The government also plans to acquire new authorities, which include:
- Establishing a new settlement in the West Bank for every country that recognizes the Palestinian State.
- Canceling the agreement that requires the transfer of exchange funds to the Palestinian Authority through Norway.
- Permanently canceling all VIP passes of Palestinian Authority officials.
- Imposing economic sanctions on the authorities and their families.
- Not transferring tax revenues obtained from goods arriving at ports to Palestinians.
These steps taken by Israel are seen as an indication of its unpreparedness and lack of planning against the recognition of the Palestinian State, which is described as a tsunami.
An Israeli Policy: No Breathing, No Dreaming
To understand why Israel is afraid, we need to look closely at the decision by the United Nations in 1947 to divide Palestine into two states, Jewish and Arab. The reality on the ground shows that the steps taken by Israel to date have almost destroyed the possibility of establishing a sovereign and independent Palestinian State.
- Let's closely examine how Israel has step by step nullified the two-state solution.
On November 29, 1947, after two months of intense negotiations, the United Nations General Assembly adopted the partition plan submitted by the majority of the Special Committee on Palestine with Resolution 181 (II).
Known as the "partition" decision at the time, Resolution 181 was adopted with 33 votes in favor, 13 votes against, and 10 abstentions.
This decision envisaged the lifting of the British mandate in the region, the gradual withdrawal of the army, and the division of Palestinian territories into three parts.
The area designated for the Arab state comprised Western Galilee, Acre, the West Bank, and a part of the southern coast extending from north of Ashdod to Rafah in the south, covering 11,000 square kilometers.
The area designated for the Jewish state comprised the coastal strip from Haifa to Tel Aviv, fertile lands in Eastern Galilee, the Sea of Galilee, the northeastern border of the occupied Palestinian territories, and the majority of the Negev Desert, covering approximately 15,000 square kilometers.
The third section, which included Jerusalem and Bethlehem along with other neighboring areas, was to be managed under international trusteeship.
Taking into account the UN partition decision, Israel declared the establishment of the State of Israel on May 14, 1948, without clearly defining its borders. The part of the decision that granted Palestinians the right to establish a state was ignored.
The UN resolution was not fully implemented due to Israel's expansionist policies. Jewish organizations took control of most Palestinian territories in 1948.
Thus, three-quarters of Palestinian territories came under Israeli control. In response, Jordan took control of the West Bank and Egypt took control of Gaza.
However, Israel did not stop there and occupied the West Bank, East Jerusalem, Gaza, the Sinai Peninsula in Egypt, and the Golan Heights in Syria on June 5, 1967.
In November 1967, the UN Security Council adopted Resolution 242, calling for Israel's withdrawal from the occupied territories.
Despite the years that have passed since the adoption of this decision, Israel has yet to withdraw from these territories; the occupation in the West Bank and the blockade in Gaza continue. The Israeli occupation in Jerusalem and the Golan Heights also persists.
Currently, there are approximately 250 illegal Jewish settlements in the West Bank, occupied by Israel since the 1967 war. Over 500,000 Jewish settlers live in these settlements.
According to international law, all Jewish settlements in the occupied territories are considered illegal.
Why is the Recognition of Palestine as a "State" Frightening?
This issue, described as the mother of problems in the Middle East, has a long historical background with complex and difficult issues at its core, such as land, identity, and sovereignty.
Since World War II, Israel has had a story to tell the world and a strong, systematic propaganda machine. It has been almost impossible to express views contrary to Israeli theses or to accuse it of unlawful actions in the West.
This situation has prevented the presentation, understanding, and validation of Palestinian theses. However, what has happened in Gaza since October 7 seems to have started changing this reality.
The actions of students and academics in universities raising their voices for Palestine and the steps taken by Norway, Spain, and Ireland have caused great concern in Tel Aviv.
The continuation of the recognition of Palestine could lead to the criticism of Israel's policies in the occupied territories and to the international community raising its voice about the violation of Palestinian rights.
This could create pressure on Israel's foreign relations and security.
Israel's Fear: What Happens if the Palestinian State is Established?
The most important issue to be discussed and brought to the agenda after the recognition of the Palestinian State is the actual establishment of the state. Israel has made all agreements to date ineffective to hinder the two-state solution. For example, the Oslo Agreement signed with the Palestinian Authority was not implemented.
Israel continues all its unilateral practices that undermine the two-state solution and create a difficult and complex atmosphere affecting security and stability.
While Israel continues its Apartheid system, disproportionate violence, killings, house demolitions, displacement, settler violence, and violations of the status of Al-Aqsa Mosque in the occupied Palestinian territories, there is no political horizon to preserve the option of a two-state solution according to international legitimacy.
However, the idea of establishing a Palestinian State still remains a great source of fear for Israel. So, what are the reasons Israel opposes the establishment of a Palestinian State?
- Security: Israel fears that the establishment of a Palestinian State could increase security risks for itself. Tel Aviv, which cannot even tolerate Gaza as a border, sees an independent and territorially unified state as a major threat to its existence.
- Land: The establishment of a Palestinian State means that Palestinians would reclaim at least part of their occupied territories. A geographically unified Palestinian State would mean Israel losing land. Since its establishment, Israel has pursued an expansionist policy, trying to leave no connection even between Palestinian villages with its settlements.
- International Status: The establishment of a Palestinian State could increase international pressure on Israel. Especially, it could face accusations of massacres and genocide committed to date. Currently, Israel claims to be the sole authority in the occupied territories and continues to kill and destroy, claiming that only it has the authority to use force.
The establishment of a Palestinian State could make it difficult for Israel to continue its current policies. All of this could lead to international isolation or economic sanctions against Israel.
