In recent weeks, there has been a wave of Western leaders taking the step to formally recognize the state of Palestine. This comes in an effort to deal with the deadly situation in Gaza and the ongoing crisis and political gridlock between the Palestinians and Israelis. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney is taking this step, citing Canada’s effort in bringing back two-state solution to the negotiating table. France’s Macron is taking this same step, citing France’s initiative to stabilize the situation in Gaza. Most significantly perhaps, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer recognizes the state of Palestine, claiming that it is ready to foster a two-state solution in the region. This solution sees the Palestinian Authority (PA) as the governing body over territories held by the Palestinians prior to the 1967 Arab-Israeli war. This, of course, is on the condition that Hamas is removed from governing power and Israeli hostages in Gaza are released.
Despite this supposed clear-cut solution, questions begin to arise about the sincerity of the recent actions of Western leaders who claim their desire for an end to conflict. As Western leaders know, there is little possibility of a viable Palestinian state next to Israel, given the current political stalemate and dire humanitarian concerns in Gaza. Under these stark circumstances, Western leaders are aware that the recognition of Palestinian statehood alone cannot initiate much substantial progress towards a two-state solution. If this is so, then what are the true intentions behind this move?
The Paradox
A recent UN report on the Question of Palestine concludes that there took place a genocide in Gaza, and Western leaders’ choice to recognize Palestine at this time, is not to be understated. The same report also concludes that there is an overarching attempt of the Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) to destroy and displace the Palestinian peoples from the Occupied Territories, making this decision even more paradoxical. The paradox lies in Western complicity in the matter. Recent reports by several NGOs such as World Beyond War (WBW) and Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East (CJPME) have exposed the continuing shipments of arms to Israel by Canadian companies under the regulation of the Canadian government. Additionally, a report published by the Campaign Against Arms Trade (CAAT) exposes the UK’s continual approval of arms manufacturing licenses to companies who intend on selling to Israel. The UK also continues to allow the manufacturing of F-35 jets on British soil, despite recognizing their ending up in Israel to violate international law.
Given this, it seems as though Western leaders have managed to simultaneously recognize Palestine in efforts to create hope for a two-state solution, while at the same time, funding and aiding the same weapons being used for the genocide, displacement and erasure of Palestinians.
Why Would Leaders Take This Step?
This move by Western leaders might be seen as a pitiful move, regretting their complicity in Palestinian human rights violations and their failure to do everything in their power to apply the principles of liberal democracy with regard to the Gazan genocide. On the one hand, this might be an attempt to dilute their complicity in Palestinian suffering. This could also be an indirect statement of solidarity with the Palestinian people while trying to maintain diplomacy with their ally, Israel. This might however, simply be a performative gesture of Western leaders to present themselves as the leaders of progress in this ongoing gridlock between Palestinian and Israeli negotiations. They can frame themselves as the saviours of the Middle East and tame the discontent and pressure from the global citizens of their countries anxious to end the violence. The international community, however, has long witnessed the terrifying and lifeless images coming out of Gaza, and have waited anxiously for the release of both Israeli and Palestinian hostages, as well as a ceasefire. Although these processes have begun, it seems as though the Western recognition of Palestinian statehood does little to pinpoint the root cause of a stagnant two-state solution. Death and violence continues, and Palestinian statehood and sovereignty continues to be disrespected; both prerequisites for a viable Palestine next to Israel. Additionally, Western leaders’ recognition of Palestine does little to ensure the stepping down of Hamas, which as stated by Starmer in his recognition speech, is a precursor for a viable two-state solution.
Looking Ahead
As of 2025, all three territories that make up the state of Palestine are occupied by Israel. Since 2023, the Gaza Strip has been destroyed to a point beyond governance and habitation due to genocide, widespread starvation, and complete destruction of infrastructure. Gaza has also been under Israeli blockade since 2006, where Israel controls the entry and exit of Gaza by land, sea and air, controlling its access to humanitarian aid, electricity, and daily resources. This deteriorates daily life in Gaza, and hinders the ability of Gazans to self determine. This, in addition to the Hamas-led government in Gaza since their 2006 legislative council elections , implies that an independent and governable Gaza Strip by the Palestinian Authority seems unlikely through the sole mechanism of Palestinian recognition. With a ceasefire only a few days old, of which Israel and Gaza have had many in the past, it seems unlikely that any substantial change will be made. This is because Gaza remains completely destroyed, the Gaza blockade remains, and Western impunity for Netanyahu’s genocide stands strong. In the West Bank and East Jerusalem, land that has also been under illegal Israeli occupation since 1967, daily life is penetrated by the IOF’s presence. Palestinians in the West Bank endure arrests without charge or trial, Israeli checkpoints, Israeli raids of their homes, and more. In addition to this, the ongoing expansion of illegal Israeli settlements and military presence in these territories hinders the Palestinian Authority’s (PA) ability to govern and gain sovereignty over their land. Settler expansion also expands Israeli presence in the Palestinian territories in a fragmented way, with settlers paving unauthorized roads in the occupied territories, blocking Palestinian movement and spatial mobilization throughout their territory. This inevitably fragments the PA’s ability to effectively govern over its people in the Palestinian territories uniformly, conditions not compatible with a self-determining and sovereign people. As a result, this creates an even greater obstacle to viable governance of the Palestinian territories by the PA.
As Western leaders present their recent decisions to recognize Palestinian statehood as a next step to a two-state solution, much change needs to first be initiated by all actors, including but not limited to, an end to death, and a substantial respect of Palestinian sovereignty over their lands. These precursors are needed in order to see the possibility of a viable and sustainable Palestine and thus two-state solution. Canada, the UK, and France’s absence in any discussion beyond arbitrary statements of recognition and solidarity with Palestine speaks to the performativity of these recent developments.
Edited by Natasha Bhimji
Disclaimer: This is an article written by a Staff Writer. Catalyst is a student-led platform that fosters engagement with global issues from a learning perspective. The opinions expressed above do not necessarily reflect the views of the publication.
Dala is in her third year at McGill, pursuing an Honours B.A in International Development Studies with a double minor in Political Science and World Islamic and Middle East Studies. She is particularly interested in the politics of the Middle East and North Africa, and immigration.