One of the most notable developments in the Palestinian-Israeli conflict is that more and more (Western) countries are recognizing Palestine as a state. This is partly due to the genocidal actions of the Israeli army (IDF) on the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, and partly due to domestic pressure from mass demonstrations.However, at the same time, Arab governments - for example, Jordan and Egypt - and their populations are remaining relatively quiet toward Israel. This was certainly not the case in the past, starting with the 1948 declaration of war by Egypt, Transjordan (present-day Jordan), Syria, Lebanon, and Iraq. Israel had barely declared its independence when these countries began dropping bombs on the newly formed Jewish nation.
In fact, these Arab countries are showing little to no solidarity with the Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, who are trapped like rats. Before the Israelis closed the border on the north side of the Palestinian city of Rafah, the Egyptians had already done so for years on the south side of that border. The Egyptian dictator Sisi has no intention of allowing a single Palestinian refugee in, as he sees it as a betrayal of the Palestinian cause. I understand that he doesn't want two million Gazans to cross the border, but out of human consideration, couldn't he have let in a few thousand?
Everyone, especially the Arab countries, is letting the Palestinians suffer, but perhaps Sudan can offer a solution. More and more sources are reporting that Israel and the United States are secretly negotiating with Sudan, which would be willing to take in a large number of Palestinians. In exchange for hard cash, of course… It's hard to imagine anything more cynical when you consider that Sudan is one of the poorest countries in the world and is also embroiled in a devastating civil war that has already resulted in some 200,000 deaths.
Meanwhile, a number of Western countries are doing their part. The following countries recently recognized the state of Palestine: the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, Belgium, Portugal, Luxembourg, Malta, Andorra, and San Marino. France also announced its recognition, with President Macron stating at the annual United Nations meeting: ’We must do everything in our power to keep open the possibility of a two-state solution, with Israel and Palestine living side-by-side in peace and security. France recognizes the Palestinian state.’ It’s commendable that Macron took this step, knowing he would provoke the wrath of that lunatic President Trump. However, with the UK, Canada, and Australia also recognizing Palestine as a state, the risk of extra trade tariffs for France has likely decreased.
The sad reality is that only after a devastating war - which Israel continues to wage with a scorched-earth policy - have Western countries been willing to recognize Palestine. Furthermore, regarding the two-state solution, it's worth noting that no Israeli government, not even a potentially progressive one after the Netanyahu era, will ever embrace the idea of a Palestinian state. This is simply out of the question. About two-thirds of the Israeli population has long been against an official Palestinian flag flying in the Gaza Strip, let alone the West Bank. Given these facts, one has to wonder if the Western countries that have now recognized Palestine aren’t just fooling themselves.
This last point is the least of the problems. What's much worse is that the Palestinians are also being fooled. In the West Bank, they are systematically being displaced by aggressive settlers who receive help from the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). Meanwhile, the situation in the Gaza Strip is more than disastrous. The nearly two million Gazans are now living on a tiny piece of land, no bigger than the Dutch island of Vlieland (or the Canal island Jersey…), and are lacking everything.The two-state solution is an idée fixe of the international community, based on nothing - in other words, a utopia. It's not only tragic that there is no chance for the creation of an independent Palestinian state (including its territory) due to Israel's relentless war machine, but it's also infuriating that political leaders like Macron still talk so much about this ’Palestinian state.’
This also applies to the Dutch Minister of Foreign Affairs, Caspar Veldkamp, who believes the Dutch government has already made it clear that it ’will only consider recognizing Palestine as a state once Israel and the Palestinians resume negotiations on a two-state solution.’ This is even more cynical than what Macron declared at the UN. What a disappointment, that Dutch cabinet. Even the Belgians have recently moved to recognition. Shame on you, Prome minister Dick Schoof and his associates!
Finally, Saudi Arabia is in a geopolitical bind. On the one hand, Mohammed bin Salman would rather finalize diplomatic ties with Israel today than tomorrow. On the other hand, he knows that his population is massively against normalizing relations with Israel. Before the Gaza war, only two-thirds of the population was against it, but now 95% reject an Abraham Accord with Israel. What are the Abraham Accords? In 2020, the following Arab countries signed diplomatic and economic agreements with Israel under this name: the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Bahrain, Sudan, and Morocco.
Hey, that's the second time Sudan has come up! It's no wonder there are back-channel talks with Sudan about taking in Palestinians. I have to admit, I'm now inclined to support this option. Of course, such a ’solution’ would de facto condone or approve of Israel's genocidal actions, but what is the alternative? A massive pile of corpses on the beaches of Gaza - is that what the ’international community’ wants? The Israelis couldn't care less: as far as they're concerned, the Palestinians can either get out or die on the spot. Period. The Israelis' ultimate goal is clear: ALL Palestinians from the West Bank and the Gaza Strip must leave or die. There's no way around it. So it's time for the international community to help the Palestinians escape to a place where they won't be exterminated.
What's that? You're asking if the United States should finally confront Israel? I agree, but do you know when that will happen? When pigs fly…..