What does recognition of a Palestinian state mean and what are its consequences?

Spain will recognize the Palestinian state on May 28 in response to Israel’s massacre in Gaza. According to experts, this is a symbolic initiative rather than of a practical and legal nature, but it could have an impact on Spain’s diplomatic relations with Israel and increase pressure on the United States and other countries that oppose this recognition.

For Co-Director of the Research Group on the Maghreb and the Middle East at the Complutense University of Madrid (UCM), isaiah barranedaThere are implications for the move Spain is now taking along with Ireland and Norway which aims to “eliminate an anomaly”.

The university professor explains that, although in his opinion this recognition should have been granted “much earlier” for reasons of coherence, it will help Make an “abnormal” situation “normal” Which has been experienced till date. This refers to the fact that Spain maintains close relations with Palestine “in practice” that reflect political dialogue and cooperation through a diplomatic mission.

However, it indicates that there is a risk to Spain’s recognition of the State of Palestine. “Only gestures remain in place.” According to the expert, this could happen if the move is not accompanied by a “policy of accompaniment” and would necessarily affect Spain’s diplomatic relations with Israel. A bond that began to falter just minutes after the President’s announcement of the government, when the Foreign Ministry executive led benjamin netanyahu Has called its ambassador to Spain for discussions.

In particular, the professor points out that “if we are to be consistent with the full recognition of the State of Palestine” there must be changes in issues related to, for example, requests for visits by Spanish leaders to the Palestinian territory and the treatment of settlers there. Occupied areas.

Increase pressure in Europe and the United States

Professor of the Department of Public Law and State Theory of the University of Santiago de Compostela (USC), Carmen Montero, Agree that the recognition of the State of Palestine is a decision with “political rather than legal” implications. In Monteiro’s opinion, the move is “symbolic but important.”

More and more countries in the international community believe that the State of Palestine can lead the United Nations Assembly Improve your status as an observer state – a situation that has already happened this year and which was approved by an overwhelming majority with 143 yes, 9 no and 25 abstentions. Currently, more than 140 of the 193 UN members recognize it as a state.

For Monteiro it is a “symbolic but important” recognition

Furthermore, in Monteiro’s opinion, the fact that this figure is increasing may prompt the United Nations to “reconsider” its position regarding transitioning to a Palestinian state. full member of the organization, Such a situation would increase pressure on the United States, which would find itself “increasingly isolated” in the UN Assembly. For Palestine to become a full UN state, it must be endorsed by the Security Council, of which the US is a part.

Similarly, the head of Israel and the Occupied Territories at Amnesty International, Carlos de las Heras, Agrees with this view: “The fact that the majority recognizing the State of Palestine is becoming increasingly large is also important at the European level.” In fact, in the EU, only eight of the 27 member states have done so so far. Such a situation seems to be developing. In fact, Norway, Ireland and Spain are expected to join, along with Slovenia and Belgium.