European countries’ support for Palestine resolution just a show

TEHRAN,Dec.15(MNA)--The United Nations General Assembly recently voted to recognize Palestine as a non-member state. The 193-member assembly voted 138 in favor of the proposal, with only nine against and 41 abstentions. Although the move has been described in Western circles as an unprecedented defeat for Israel and the United States, many in the Middle East region see it as more of a politically motivated decision than a practical solution to the issue of Palestine. The UN resolution was actually a quick-fix response to the sudden rise in international support for Palestine, but it does not give the Palestinians full access to UN mechanisms for their efforts to attain their rights. Like other UN resolutions, the latest measure will not prevent Israel from committing atrocities in Palestine. For over six decades, Israel has repeatedly ignored international demands in regard to Palestine and will most probably continue to do so in the future, despite the recent decision. Thus, while important, the move will not elevate Palestine’s status in practice, and it is very unlikely that the Palestinian government will be successful in its attempts to take legal action against Israel, especially in regard to Israel’s occupation of Palestinian territories in 1948 and 1967. However, the UN’s recognition of Palestine as a non-member observer state boosts the morale of the Palestinians and gives them new hope in their efforts to attain their rights. The measure will also increase the confidence of the resistance movements, since they will feel more support at the international level. However, European governments’ support for the decision is just a show. In fact, France, Italy, Spain, Norway, Denmark, and Switzerland all apparently voted yes because they knew that the decision would have no tangible impact on Israel’s position and would only serve as a show of support for the Palestinians, which was necessary in the wake of Israel’s latest offensive against Gaza, in which over 150 people were killed and many others injured. Sabah Zanganeh is a political analyst based in Tehran. (By Sabah Zanganeh)