EU: ‘Two-state solution in the Middle East’. But only 9 out of 27 recognize Palestine as a state

Brussels – A two-state solution in the Middle East, with Israel on one side and Palestine on the other: the EU’s High Representative for Foreign and Security Policy, Josep Borrell, insists that this alone is the solution to the Arab-Israeli conflict. Italy and its current government also back this political line, but the problem is anything but simple. Only one-third of EU member states recognize Palestine as a state: barely nine out of twenty-seven, plus a tenth. Bulgaria, Cyprus, Malta, Poland, Czech Republic, Romania, Slovakia, Sweden, and Hungary recognize Palestine as a state according to the 1967 borders (West Bank, Gaza Strip, and East Jerusalem). Only Sweden recognized a Palestinian state as an EU member, while the others did so before joining the euro area. Recently, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez announced that he is ready to take the step never taken so far in the wake of Hamas’ large-scale attack that triggered the current conflict,  bringing to ten the number of EU member states to recognize Palestine as a state.

The situation highlights the short-circuit and contradiction in the EU, which, on the one hand, calls for something that cannot happen until individual non-national governments get what they need. On the ‘Palestine issue’ there is an inter-institutional tug-of-war that has been dragging on for at least a decade. The European Parliament has called for recognition of a Palestinian state at least as early as 2014, always on the basis of a two-state situation with 1967 borders. The European Commission, through Borrell, is now also pushing for the same thing, but the real problem is in the Council.

So much so that the Spanish MEP Ana Miranda (Greens), with a priority question, is calling for the “urgent” recognition of Palestine as a state by inviting the General Affairs Council, which brings together the ministers for European Affairs of the 27 EU member states, to put the issue on the table. The original request was addressed to Spain, the rotating president until Dec. 31, 2023, but having been presented on Dec. 13, it will be up to Belgium, the rotating president since Jan. 1.

“The Union must adopt a new position and recognize the State of Palestine,” urges the Spanish MEP. But for this to be possible, all 27 member states must recognize Palestine as a state. Otherwise, statements will remain without foundation and credibility. Support for the Palestinian National Authority alone is not enough.