Scoop: State Department reviewing options for possible recognition of Palestinian state

[TheProle]

Source: Axios

Secretary of State Tony Blinken asked the State Department to conduct a review and present policy options on possible U.S. and international recognition of a Palestinian state after the war in Gaza, two U.S. officials briefed on the issue told Axios.

Why it matters: While U.S. officials say there has been no policy change, the fact the State Department is even considering such options signals a shift in thinking within the Biden administration on possible Palestinian statehood recognition, which is highly sensitive both internationally and domestically.

For decades, U.S. policy has been to oppose the recognition of Palestine as a state both bilaterally and in UN institutions and to stress Palestinian statehood should only be achieved through direct negotiations between Israel and the Palestinian Authority.
Yes but: Efforts to find a diplomatic way out of the war in Gaza has opened the door for rethinking a lot of old U.S. paradigms and policies, a senior U.S. official said.

Read more: https://www.axios.com/2024/01/31/palestine-statehood-biden-israel-gaza-war

[The Magistrate]

1. This Is The Real Stick Against Netanyahu, Sir

The money assistance, even weapons, are a trifle by compare.

This would be the overthrow of what the man schemed towards for decades. And there's not a thing he could do to ward it off, save full cooperation with present policies of President Biden's administration. Establishment of, and recognition of, a Palestinian state in the West Bank, is not subject to an Israeli veto, not if backed the US and the EU.

[TheProle]

2. Great analysis as usual, Magistrate. Thank you.

A two-state solution is the only way forward, imo.

[yardwork]

10. So many of us would be so relieved if this happens, sir.

[IronLionZion]

23. Bibi will fight over the borders, settlers, etc.

He wants that land

[Happy Hoosier]

3. I hope they are serious.

If a real framework is created for the recognition of Palestinian State, it's some pretty serious leverage on Nutandyahoo.

Frankly, I hope it's MORE than leverage. I hope it's policy. Not only would it serve a lever on Israel (especially under Likud rule), but it would also serve to shepherd Palestine out of an "eternal victim" status. Palestinian leaders would have to actually LEAD.

[PortTack]

4. Oh bibi isn't gonna like that!

[yardwork]

11. Tough luck for him.

[KPN]

15. Ya think?! Biden is rattling the both of them. --

Bibi and our own goon, Trump. Love it!

[Sneederbunk]

26. Oh influential US Israeli supporters aren't gonna like that!

[RussellCattle]

5. If this really happens, in the future, if you look up "unintended consequences", you'll see Bibi's picture.

[MMBeilis]

6. Up the ante and start planning for a post-war Marshall Plan for Palestine, a seaport and an international airport.

[limbicnuminousity]

7. That might do a lot

towards addressing criticisms raised by anti-war protesters. How likely is it though?

[montanacowboy]

8. This is good news

I wish them well and this is the only solution.

[maxsolomon]

9. this is not consistent with my understanding of Genocide Joe Biden.

I thought he only cared about giving Likud free reign to Nakba innocent Palestinians. my world view is shattered.

[aggiesal]

12. Let's just add Gaza & Isreal, along with D.C. & Puerto Rico as states to the U.S. ...

Maybe that might bring their fighting to an end.

Do I need the sarcasm thingee?

[JustABozoOnThisBus]

13. Where would this Palestinian State be established?

Gaza? West Bank? What will convince Israel to give up this land?

Golan Heights? Again, Israel would be unlikely to cede this land, given its history as a rocket launch area.

Michigan? Hmmm.

I don't see where we can unilaterally declare a country.

[moniss]

17. Been done before in this region

where a state was created by taking land from people who did not agree. It would be ironic to see Likud claim it's wrong to take land from people who have already established themselves. Because the UN allowed one part of a negotiation to become facts on the ground and kicked the can down the road on the rest it left the UN as the legal authority in the areas not delineated as Israeli borders in 1948.

Regardless of attacks from Egypt etc. in 1967 and 1972 it is still under UN legal authority. That's why the UN made clear in resolutions that these are "occupied territories" and are not legally considered to be conquered lands expanding the borders of the occupier. Yes I know all of the arguments and the back and forth. Exhaustively. But the plain fact of the matter is the UN is there by internationally recognized law and they are not there at the mere "invitation" of Israel. Does Israel behave as though they own it? Absolutely. Does the UN do much about it? Not really because every time, over the many years, that the question of an international peacekeeping force has come up the US has vetoed it in the Security Council. The US has done this while maneuvering itself to be the "honest, non-partisan force" for a negotiated resolution of the items unresolved from the end of the Mandate. Historically nobody on either side or their supporters around the world has lived up to that description.

Meanwhile the illegal settlement activity in the West Bank has consumed a large amount of that land. The settlements are illegal under international law but nobody will do anything to prevent the activity and force the removal of the existing illegal settlements. So here we are with a diminished land area for a Palestinian state compared to the end of Mandate plan. The way it was drawn was not likely workable either and if the British were wrong about many things, and they were, they were right on the money when they adamantly opposed voting for the plan because the stated it was clear from their experience during the Mandate that if all sides did not agree then their would never be acceptance and peace. But the US and others bullied countries in the UN into voting for acceptance. The record of that is clear also and easily found in the literature.

So the other parties knew that the promises of settling issues "down the road" was pure crap and was really just a method to never resolve promises made and do so by a never ending process of negotiations meant to go nowhere. The record of childish behavior is there of parties saying "No I won't attend this meeting because I don't like the people chosen by the other side to be their attendees" and other BS that drags on for decades.

Although it won't happen what I believe should happen is that a solution should be imposed that addresses all of it whether the parties all agree to every detail or not. After all one party imposed it's desired part of the solution in 1948. So as I said. Been done before. The horrid violence towards each other by both sides has held the world hostage to this nightmare for decades and drained trillions of dollars from the rest of the people in the world in trying to deal with it all. It is clear that there will not be a negotiated settlement of all issues because the parties wish to keep this all going on for their own reasons and to benefit from supporters in the region. Enough already. We do not agree to carry this to infinity. Impose a solution and put a robust peacekeeping force in place. I don't give a damn who doesn't like it or why. This horrendous conduct towards each other and the parasitic stoking of it for their own purposes by supporters around the world in national governments and terror groups must stop.

[TeamProg]

19. It was done in 1948. nt

[ripcord]

14. I like this idea

Israel will be able to hold this Palestinian goverment responsible for any further attacks.

[peggysue2]

16. This is huge!

To pretend President Biden hasn't pushed negotiations against Netanyahu and his right-wing fanatics is exposed for what it is: A Lie of the most hideous magnitude. But this, the recognition of Palestine as a state, even the suggestion, is the thumb in the eye that even the tone deaf Netanyahu and Likud will hear in stereo.

Bravo!

Because this ain't easy to buck decades of traditional diplomatic positioning. Joe Biden's 'patience" with Netanyahu's recalcitrance has clearly come to an end.

President Biden's going to get this done. Because he's one of the most decent individuals we've had in the WH.

[TeamProg]

18. Create a Palestinian state just as Israel was created by carving out some land. nt

[Lonestarblue]

20. Here's another article on this idea from Tom Friedman in today's NYT.

No paywall link

https://www.nytimes.com/2024/01/31/opinion/biden-iran-israel.html?unlocked_article_code=1.SE0.uymE.fKd3yJ63oklq&bgrp=a&smid=url-share

I also read in the Times this morning that Israel is quietly demolishing homes, schools, and mosques in Gaza, ostensibly to clear the border area near Israel, but actually happening far from the border. Netanyahu wants a Gaza completely razed and unlivable for Palestinians.

[LeftInTX]

25. Thanks! Well written!

invaded Gaza without any plan for how to find a legitimate non-Hamas Palestinian partner to effectively govern there so Israel can pull back

I don't think Israel had any connections in Gaza before it invaded. It should have been trying to cultivate relationships over the years.

[Autumn]

21. Now, :This is a big fucking deal" Thank you Joe. .

[Martin68]

22. The problem I see is that there is no one in charge of the Palestinians. How can you recognize a state without a viable

government and representatives with whom we can negotiate? But I do like to se this kind of pressure on both parties to solve these issues and get serious bout a long-term solution they can both live with.

[EndlessWire]

24. What is the problem?

No one should be surprised at this.

"...the fact the State Department is even considering such options signals a shift in thinking within the Biden administration on possible Palestinian statehood recognition..."

Biden said weeks ago that the only viable pathway to peace is the two state solution. I think that it should be a three state solution. Breaking Gaza off is more manageable. But, nevertheless, Israel already knows that the two state solution is favored.

I think that, what with the actions of Israel in both Gaza and the West Bank, and the public comments of the Likud party officials about what amounts to ethnic cleansing, the timing of this "leak" works to put pressure on Israel to stop what they are doing. They could still pull out a moral victory by doing an about face.

It is so sad. Israel could have taken the tunnels much quicker than they applied themselves, had their intentions been true. In the end we have a murderous massacre on both sides. Hamas has still got to go. They are the ones who broke the ceasefire and continue to hold hostages. Gaza won't be peaceful until Israel has permanently broken their backs. Problem is, Gaza needs to be separated from Israel, and the only way to do that is to form a new country.

I used to have respect for Israel. Netanyahu has led Israel down the wrong path. Easy to be critical when you're not in the suck, but also easier to see the entire picture.

[Israeli]

27. great news

thank you president Biden

There is a Solution: A Political Vision for the Day After the War

Throughout the conference, a unified message echoed: Peace will prevail, and there is no other choice but a political horizon and a two-state solution. The discussions emphasized that this is the only path that will provide the peace and security needed and deserved by all.

https://peacenow.org.il/en/over-1000-people-at-peace-nows-conference-there-is-a-solution-a-political-vision-for-the-day-after-the-war

[EX500rider]

28. And once it is a country what will happen when it fires rockets into Israel? nt

[SlimJimmy]

29. That was my question. But I'll wait for a reply to you.

[Hieronymus Phact]

30. This is the primary question

Any recognition needs to be contingent on a binding peace agreement.
And i would also love to hear some answer as to what happens when the rockets are launched from the new Palestinian state.
Would Israel have the right to occupy it to stop that? Any other state would do as much.

[Xolodno]

31. Once the USA does this, Europe and many other nations will follow.

Bibi allowed Hamas to flourish as it was a foil against Fatah. Ironically, neither of the two want a two state solution and due to their actions, may have made it guaranteed. If Fatah and Israel can't work out a deal, the rest of the world may impose one on them. And you can bet neither side will like it.

And once a recognized nation, Israel could start experiencing painful sanctions if they continue with the settlements, violating sovereignty, etc. Probably see an Arab coalition of peace keepers to eventually take over Gaza and train Fatah security forces in addition to outlawing Hamas.

One thing for certain, Bibi's career is over. Previous PM's have been mum about a Palestinian State but they could easily spin this as a necessity due to Bibi's short sightedness and its best to work with the international community than go through painful economic hardship. Those rich Hamas leaders may also find themselves in permanent exile or suddenly un-alived.