Starving for Recognition
The idea of supporting Palestinian statehood among the world’s western nations appears to be growing. French President, Emmanuel Macron has made a statement that he will recognise Palestine – in September. Australian Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese also announced possible recognition of Palestine ‘at the right moment’, provided it is demilitarised and that Hamas have no part in a future Palestine. Keir Starmer has stated that statehood is “the inalienable right of the Palestinian people”, adding that he may add UK Government recognition for the state of Palestine – in September, but only if the Israeli regime fails to commit to a ceasefire and a two-state solution. They would then join 147 out of 193 UN member states, which have already recognised Palestine.
This could be a significant and positive step. But recognition for Palestine can not depend on Israeli foreign policy. The Western powers’ change of position would be helpful;
If it is immediate,
If it is not conditional,
If it includes immediate action
to end all arms sales, military co-operation, including the UK-Israel Trade and Partnership Agreement, along with banning all trade and investment in the companies currently profiting from the occupation and genocide.
Secure Scotland cannot accept an approach that conditions the statehood of a people on the actions and goodwill of their occupier. The recognition of the human rights of Palestinian people is a legally, politically and morally vital step on the road to justice and peace. The same recognition applies to the Israeli people, but it will neither apply to, nor be brought about by acts of genocide, war crimes committed in their name..
Furthermore, recognition of Palestine will do nothing to help the Palestinians in Gaza, the West Bank and East Jerusalem currently being starved by Israel’s government. The priority must be an end to the starvation and killing of the Palestinian people – in Gaza, the West Bank and East Jerusalem.
The responsibility for enabling mass starvation, destruction of homes and people also lies with all the states, including the UK, whose leaders are aiding and abetting the Israelli government’s genocide. Last November, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza. This should have been enough to ensure that powerful governments immediately ceased any arms trading, surveillance support or military cooperation with a state led by either of these men.
This man-made famine requires an international response, with all states supporting the UN and its agencies, particularly UNWRA and UNICEF. Aid distribution and medical care should be undertaken through the appropriate UN agencies and not interfered or impacted in any way by the Israeli Government or its allies.
Government members with genocide warrants hanging over them are in no position to be in charge of delivering aid to their victims. Unsubstantiated claims made by Israeli officials about UNRWA being infiltrated by Hammas have been repeatedly made in the media, and refuted by reliable evidence.
The urgent need to restore unimpeded access to Gaza by impartial humanitarian organisations, including the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) and the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) can be met but only with the full support of UN member states that are not compromised by their inability to see past arms trade profits and oppressive colonialism.
Lasting human common security for the region will come from global agreements on land use and resourcing that respect the identity, culture and welfare of nations, rather than their borders and boundaries.
The United Nations can only to save succeeding generations from the scourge of war if its member states are united in good faith. Are Mr Trump, Mr Starmer, Mr Alb and Mr Macron able to make that commitment? As citizens of Scotland can we insist that they do? Can we take action to do everything we can to amplify the UN request that “All States must act decisively to prevent Israel’s destruction of the conditions of life in Gaza and stop its endless war on humanity,” the experts said. “States must do everything in their power to restore the UN humanitarian system in Gaza.”
Immediate recognition for Palestine must not be predicated on the possibility of a ‘two-state solution’, or on the current Hamas policies or actions, but because it is a necessity for the survival of its people.
How could anyone disagree with this? The fact it needs to be said at all speaks volumes about our society, our culture, out horrible politics and our hypocrisy.
“As citizens of Scotland can we insist that they do? Can we take action to do everything we can to amplify the UN request ” Of course we can. It’ s time the Scottish government, and Westminster Parliament, and the king himself, remembered that in Scotland they rule by consent of the governed, and they do not have it. Not in my name, anyway.
It’s time we saw some serious and immediate commitment from all those who claim to represent our interests, at all levels.
No more outrageous persecution of protestors or people putting Palestinian flags in their front window. Let’s have some immediate, positive action or admission of complicity. Saving lives and ending the immense suffering is the first priority. The Zionists cannot have a veto on this. And let’s have no more of this vicious Zionist propaganda or racist, apartheid ‘solutions’. The only real future for Jews and non-Jews alike is a single secular state in Palestine where all religions and none can coexist in liberty, equality and fraternity, peace and justice. And the Palestinians deserve massive compensation for all they have suffered since 1948. From the UK above all, for disgracefully dishonouring the Balfour Declaration. Let’s see commitment to investing in helping them rebuild their country.
I suspect Perfidious Albion will just carry on as it always has. But here in Scotland we have a Scottish Government, which is above all ultimately responsible to us, and no-one else. We need it to to stand up and say “not in our name’, ‘Nae pasaran’. Loudly and clearly. Too many Scots have suffered and died to fight fascism. We owe it to them.
We will have an election next year. I will not vote for any candidate or party that has failed to act right now and get serious help to these people, under military escort if need be.
Then, no more hypocrisy and cringe. No more Scottish investment in Israel, sales to or purchases from that country and a commitment to arrest those responsible if they enter Scotland. Not just Netenyahu and representatives of the current Israeli government and companies, but Trump and Starmer too. Hand them all over to the ICC.
And we need to hear from Charles III who claims to be our head of state. Does he support genocide? If so, he does not have our consent and in Scotland the monarch has always, at least in law if not in practice, ruled by consent.
Thanks for comments, and the questions qbout the how of refusing or withdrawing our consent get farther and farther towards considering what is needed to make Scotland ungovernable – at least by those we didn’t elect.
I agree with that.
But I think it is important – and it will surface with every question of sovereignty – to bear in mind that there was no state of Israel before western states intervened to create one – on their terms.
The world rulers are caught in a catch 22 ! They have left it so long to do anything constructive , they are now deemed complicit because they put money before humanity. If they step up now and help to put an end to Israeli genocide…..will they also be legally guilty ?