Recognition of Palestine 'still long way off'

Diplomats and analysts see Monday’s overwhelming British vote to recognise Palestine as a state, following Sweden’s decision to do so, as a “small shift”, but warn against reading too much into it.

“It’s moving a little bit. Certain European countries are trying to make themselves heard and push things forward,” said Agnes Levallois, an expert on the Arab world, adding that the push for Middle East peace must now come from Europe after the failure of US-led efforts.

According to an AFP count, at least 112 countries around the world have recognised a Palestinian state. A Palestinian count puts the number at 134.

EU member countries that have recognized a Palestinian state include Bulgaria, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Malta, Poland and Romania.

But experts say the EU is unlikely to push further towards recognition, particularly given the sensitivity of European heavyweight Germany’s relations with Israel due to Berlin’s Nazi past.

France has said it will recognise Palestine “when the time is right” but diplomats say Paris will not act outside the European framework.

The Palestinian ambassador in Paris, Hael al-Fahoum, said: “I hope that France, which is normally a driving force on this topic, will soon make a very important gesture.”

But diplomats in Paris say that France is not yet ready to follow Sweden and take the plunge. “You can only play the card of recognition once, which is why it is important to choose one’s moment,” said one diplomat, who requested anonymity.

“There’s no other answer” to the conflict than the two-state solution, said another source. – AFP