Australia and other countries recognize Palestine as a state

• Australia, Canada, Britain, and France recognize Palestine
• Israel opposes the recognition, considering it prejudicial
• The creation of a Palestinian state is fraught with territorial and political problems

Australia recognized the state of Palestine at a meeting of the UN General Assembly, which will take place in the fall. This decision was supported by Great Britain, Canada, and France, which indicates an increasing global support for the rights of Palestinians to self-determination.

However, this recognition is symbolic and does not affect the situation in Gaza in the most immediate perspective. The Israeli government has firmly opposed these steps, calling them "prejudicial." Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu emphasized the necessity to prevent the establishment of a Palestinian state.

Problems that stand in the way of creating a Palestinian state include Israeli settlements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, which are considered illegal under international law. According to data, at present, over 500 thousand Israeli settlers reside in these territories.

Moreover, the territorial borders between the future Palestinian state and Israel remain undefined. These borders are not recognized and are a result of the 1948 war. The situation is complicated also due to the division of the West Bank into three zones, control over which is exercised by Israel.

Among other challenges – political conditions that Western countries set for the recognition of Palestine. One of them is the requirement that Hamas not participate in the governance of the future state. This puts under threat the legitimacy of any new government and may lead to further political instability.

Tags: Middle East/Politics