Palestinians have been living under Israeli occupation for over six decades. During that period, the geopolitical situation changed immensely. While some countries disintegrated, like the former USSR, others took the initiative and declared their independence. And they were recognised by their neighbouring states as well as the world's more powerful nations. If only it were that easy for Palestinians. This is what Fatah official Yasser Abed Rabbo suggested two days ago when he said his people ought to declare a state if peace talks with Israel did not succeed. His comments are understandable, given the context in which they were made. Negotiations with the Jewish state have been going on for decades and have not brought the Palestinians any closer to a just and peaceful solution. But when the end result is known, there is little sense in taking that kind of action.
To begin with, who is going to recognise an independent Palestinian state? It should be emphasised that there is an unequal relationship between the Palestinians and Israelis. That is, Israelis are physically occupying Palestinian land. The relationship is heavily skewed, so to suggest Palestinians should declare a state right now, like Kosovo, is not plausible. Nor is it viable. Would it address the fact that they are an occupied people? Would it solve the refugee problem? The illegal colony expansion and construction? The separation wall that has eaten into Palestinian land? And lastly, what would become of Occupied Jerusalem? As much as there is a desire to resolve these issues from the Palestinian camp, they remain the weaker side and therefore cannot afford to act unilaterally.
On the other hand, the international community, led by the US, has not taken a fair approach. Because of inherent biases the situation today is more delicate than ever. It is about time the international community started to approach this (unequal) conflict in a just manner.
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