Last year, Spain, Norway, Slovenia and Ireland were condemned for formally recognizing Palestine. Since then, Israel has rained down absolute torture on Palestinian civilians and now other European countries are poised to follow suit.
In just a few weeks, France and Saudi Arabia will co-host a United Nations summit in New York, to advance the recognition of a Palestinian state and to reinvigorate efforts toward a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Belgium, Portugal, and Luxembourg are also expected to participate. The U.S. is not a party to this but it has not opposed it enough either, which is reportedly making Israel nervous.
Most of the world recognizes Palestine. The only holdouts are Western nations and Israel is rapidly losing its favor.
This is all symbolic though. Germany has announced an end to weapons shipments to Israel but the U.S. has not. The United Nations has passed votes for a ceasefire from Israel many times but they don’t have to honor it.
US special envoy to the Mideast Steve Witkoff has indicated once again that a ceasefire may be within reach. He said on Wednesday that he has “very good feelings” about the chances for reaching a temporary ceasefire and hostage deal that could lead to a long-term resolution to the conflict in Gaza.
He may have good feelings but Israeli officials don’t, according to The Times of Israel.
“An unnamed Israeli official quickly dismissed Hamas’s claim of an agreement with the US, calling the statement ‘psychological warfare’ and ‘propaganda.'”
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that any ceasefire deal will be temporary.
