Paris: With Gaza under siege and the West Bank under threat, will the symbolic act of recognising a Palestinian state give its inhabitants reasons to hope or despair? Some 715 days since Hamas orchestrated the worst terror attack in Israel’s history, what’s clear is that Israel has since squandered sympathy with its incessant pummelling of Gaza and the unchecked land grabs by the state and Jewish settlers in the West Bank.
According to France24.com, among the dozen nations recognising Palestine are former colonial powers Britain and France – home to both Europe’s largest Muslim and Jewish populations. Is this a lone act of frustration directed as much at Israel as its main backer, the United States?
The question remains whether Europe can move the conversation towards actual peace building. The panel discussions and correspondents have been gauging the mood on the ground. There are also concerns over the statements made by Israel’s prime minister, which some critics say echo an “us versus them” narrative in the face of calls for international isolation and sporting boycotts. These actions are being compared to the pressure once exerted on apartheid-era South Africa.