What the Arab world has been experiencing in the last months has been a source of inspiration for the entire world. Seeing millions rise up against arbitrary and dictatorial government has, hopefully, given the rest of us the motivation to keep fighting for a democratic and dignified life. These uprisings have revolved around a very specific rhetoric which is closely connected to their demand for democracy; the call for a dignified life, the need to reinstate one’s pride, and the desire to be the actors rather than subjects of their own history. Although recently the Arab revolutions have taken the front stage of the media, the Palestinian cause represents all such demands at the highest level. Their struggle to establish a state on their own land has been driven by similar causes. What the Palestinians in the occupied territories have been subjected to, above everything else, is the inability to control their own futures.

Now, they might move much closer toward achieving this dream of self-determination.
At least, they will do their best. The recent announcement of “Palestine 194” is an indication of this. Palestine 194, a plan to organize mass marches against Israeli occupation, will occur on September 20. The hope is to attract attention to the natural desire of the Palestinians to have a state. The hope is to show those who will vote on the fate of the Palestinians, that the answer is actually already very clear.
Although the answer may be clear to most of us, the Palestinians require a recommendation from the Security Council in order for the issue to be addressed in the United Nations. Since this seems unlikely, some expect the Palestinians to target non-member state status; they will be recognized as a state by the UN General Assembly but will not have the right to vote.
There are further details that surround this issue; first, the U.S. factor. Despite his pre-mature Nobel Peace Prize and the hopes he raised for a better world, President Obama has made it very clear that U.S. policy remains the same. His initial talk of a return to 1967 border
[i] was boldly balanced by his speech that reinforced the United States as an unconditional ally of Israel.
[ii] The American vote in September is expected to oppose the creation of a Palestinian state.
Despite the alteration of American foreign policy rhetoric to a more a peaceful tone, the reality remains. If Palestine becomes a state, Israel will end up occupying the land of a UN member state. The Palestinian leadership will have a more legitimate channel to question Israeli actions. The fear that this will de-legitimize Israel is an important worry of the American government. Of course, the strength of the Jewish lobbies doesn’t leave any room for doubt when it comes to the American vote.
Another important obstacle on the path to statehood was the Palestinian leadership itself, or the lack of a unified one. Both Hamas and Fatah have struggled with the provision of resources and security and their claims to legitimacy. The Palestinian Authority has been recognized by the international community as the representative of the Palestinian people. However, the PA has gradually lost internal support as it continuously failed to make real changes. Hamas, although elected by the people of Gaza, has failed to get international recognition. The rift between the two sources of leadership was made clear to the world with Al Jazeera’s Palestine Papers.
[iii] The documents revealed the cooperation between Israeli authorities and Fatah in order to diminish Hamas’s power.
Nevertheless, it seems this problem has partly been solved. Although many questions surround the details, Mahmoud Abbas and Khaled Meshaal signed a unity deal in May. Their initiative to rule the Palestinian territories as one is a significant improvement. This ties Israel’s hands, which had escaped dealing with Hamas by calling it a terrorist organization.
Apart from Palestinian unity, there are more reasons to hope for a Palestinian state. Alongside the Arab nations, important regional powers such as Turkey and Iran have expressed their support for the creation of the state of Palestine. Palestine is already recognized by 122 member states of the UN. Important European powers, Germany, France, and the United Kingdom have expressed that land swap deals and further negotiations should begin with the 1967 borders. More importantly, the international community is much more aware of the Palestinian cause now than at any other previous moment in history. Not just Arab populations, but international civil society is bolstering the Palestinian cause.
[iv]
As always, there are reasons to be hesitant. Some merely see it as impossible, considering the combined power of the U.S. and Israel acting against such a move. Some see it as unnecessary, questioning what will actually change
[v] if the vote is positive in September. Some draw attention to the ‘real’ problems of the Palestinians; the financial problems of the PA, its dependence on aid, how it will establish border security, etc…
No matter what the obstacles are, no matter what problems will remain, the Palestinians deserve a state. It will be their most significant step toward consolidating a dignified life, of which they are in control.
[i] “Obama Calls for 1967 Borders for Israeli-Palestinian States”
[accessed: 2 August, 2011] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rbcyuRjiK4A
[ii] “Obama backtracks on 1967 comments at AIPAC meeting”
[accessed: 2 August, 2011] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AHFJroFMwdo
[iii] “The Palestine Papers” Al Jazeera.
[accessed: 2 August, 2011] http://english.aljazeera.net/palestinepapers/2011/ 01/201112214310263628.html
[iv] “Palestine: the World’s Next Nation”
[accessed: 2 August, 2011]http://www.avaaz.org/en/independence_for_pale stine_uk/?rc=fb&pv=33
[v] Erakat, Noura. “The PLO and PA are flirting with irrelevancy”
[accessed: 2 August, 2011] http://english.aljazeera.net/indepth/opinion/2011/ 07/201172112546428589.html
(Source: The Turkish Weekly)