Palestinians Welcome Wave of Statehood Recognition but Doubt Real Change

Palestinians in Gaza and the Israeli-occupied West Bank greeted with mixed emotions the announcements by a growing number of Western nations recognizing a Palestinian state, even as they expressed skepticism the symbolic moves would ease their dire realities.

On Monday, France, Belgium, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, and Andorra joined the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and Portugal in recognizing Palestinian statehood during a high-profile UN gathering on the conflict. More countries are expected to follow, despite objections from Israel and the United States.

“This has strengthened the Palestinian legitimacy by recognizing the rights of the Palestinian people,” said Saeed Abu Elaish, a medic in Gaza who lost over two dozen relatives in the war. Others dismissed the impact, with displaced resident Huda Masawabi calling the recognitions “worthless” as she fled south from Gaza City.

Israel, which opposes Palestinian statehood, argues recognition would reward Hamas. The war — now in its 23rd month — has left Gaza in ruins, displaced nearly the entire population, and killed at least 65,000 people, according to the Hamas-run Health Ministry.

In the West Bank, where settlement expansion and military raids have accelerated, some Palestinians voiced cautious hope. “Recognition is a step in the right direction,” said Nur Al-Din Mansour of Jenin, “but we want a fully sovereign state on the 1967 borders.” Others were more dismissive. “All of this recognition, in the end, is meaningless,” said Mohammad Hammad, also displaced from Jenin.

Roughly three-quarters of UN member states now recognize Palestine, but the moves are unlikely to bring immediate change as the war grinds on and the vision of a two-state solution appears increasingly remote.