RAFIF ESLEEM 

Gaza – With the intensification of Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip that have been ongoing for more than two years, the voices of countries aiming to recognize the State of Palestine are rising. However, it remains unclear whether these promises are a natural response to the war crimes committed by Israel, or an attempt to quell the anger caused by the blood flowing on screens every day.

Actions Became a Means of Pressure

International Solidarity Political Affairs Researcher Raneen Al-Wazir stated that since October 7, 2023, the attacks on the Gaza Strip have triggered strong Arab and international solidarity that goes beyond the support shown to the region in previous periods. Raneen Al-Wazir emphasized that this solidarity stems from the brutality of Israeli attacks targeting hospitals, mosques, churches, and civilians. Noting that one of the most remarkable forms of solidarity that emerged was the mass demonstrations organized in the Arab world and in many European countries, Raneen Al-Wazir said, 'These protests, where keffiyehs and Palestinian flags waved, continued despite bans and clashes with security forces from time to time. These demonstrations functioned as a means of exerting pressure on governments supporting Israel’s attacks.'

The Only Solution Is Stopping the Genocide

Raneen Al-Wazir announced that they have filed a case at the International Court of Justice demanding sanctions against Israeli forces who boast about photographing the destruction and massacres in the Gaza Strip and share them on digital media. Stating that Israeli soldiers and officers have shared the attacks unhesitatingly to display them on digital platforms, Raneen Al-Wazir said this has prompted human rights organizations to file cases against both soldiers and commanders. Emphasizing that the stances of Arab and international powers have been insufficient in the face of the scale of the massacres, famine, and forced displacement in Gaza, Raneen Al-Wazir stated, "Under the current conditions the only solution is for Israel to stop the genocide it commits against civilians every day. On the other hand, it is to ensure the entry of humanitarian aid into the area and, at least, to allow the reconstruction of infrastructure so as to gradually return the victims' lives to normal."

Recognition Is the Most Fundamental Right of the People

Raneen Al-Wazir emphasized that the recognition of the State of Palestine during this period is the most fundamental right of the afflicted and grieving people, at a time when the number of those who have lost their lives has exceeded thousands and there are still missing or wounded under the rubble. Referring to Israel’s latest ground operation in southern Gaza, Raneen Al-Wazir said, 'After months of a return process, Israeli forces have now decided to once again displace about one and a half million people by launching a ground offensive into the city center. In making this decision, the basic humanitarian conditions experienced by the people, such as poverty, the inability to find a tent or a means of transportation, were completely ignored.'"

Governments Should Support the Initiatives

Emphasizing that the Palestinian people have the right to live in peace and dignity just like other peoples around the world, Raneen Al-Wazir said:

'The losses they have experienced so far are more than enough for them. Therefore, they no longer deserve to lose anything, materially or morally, in order to reclaim their rights and gains. Many people and human rights defenders are trying to lead aid flotillas by sea to break the Gaza blockade. However, these initiatives often face intervention by Israeli forces; activists are arrested, and in some cases, as in the Madeleine example, some crew members are directly targeted. Most of these initiatives are carried out through individual efforts. For these efforts to be truly effective, governments must also support and legitimize them. At the same time, it must be clearly shown that they reject Israeli forces’ use of systematic starvation as a method of war and this violent policy, which has claimed the lives of hundreds of women, children, and men to date.'

'The Roles of Rights Defenders Are Critical'

Referring to online support campaigns, Raneen Al-Wazir stated that recently, many pages supporting the Gaza Strip on digital media platforms have been shut down, their content blocked, and these pages censored. She noted that this directly targets efforts to shed light on what is happening in the besieged city, and emphasized that at this point, the roles of major media organizations, as well as women journalists, feminist activists, and human rights defenders, are of critical importance. Raneen Al-Wazir said that the mission of these actors is to make the massacres visible and to inform the public.

'There Is Global Solidarity'

Political Affairs Researcher Dana Habboub noted that the Palestinian issue is not a temporary event appearing in the news today, but has instead become an important part of global political and moral debates. Dana Habboub stated that this situation is the result of changes in the consciousness and awareness of both peoples and institutions, and noted that the Palestinian narrative is increasingly dominant in the streets, squares, and among university students, allowing global solidarity to be clearly observed.

Dana Habboub continued her remarks: “However, I believe that the official stances of governments are quite the opposite. Many governments do not take a unified position regarding the scale of the genocide Israel is committing in the Gaza Strip; they limit themselves to condemning the crimes in the city. On the other hand, we see that some countries, such as Portugal and the United Kingdom, have recently begun to recognize the State of Palestine. I believe that in the upcoming period, Australia, Canada, France, Belgium, Malta, Luxembourg, Andorra, and San Marino will follow suit.

I do not think that these recognitions are merely a diplomatic protocol; on the contrary, they are a clear indication that international standards have begun to reassess the legitimacy of the State of Palestine. However, considering the current political reality the siege of the city, the starving of the population, the genocide crimes committed every minute, the forced displacements, and the dozens of war crimes committed by Israeli forces in Gaza I also question whether these recognitions are sufficient despite all this. Of course, solidarity alone does not change the equation. But it creates a new political ground and strengthens the legitimacy of the Palestinian cause before international institutions. This can only translate into concrete results if a legal, economic, and diplomatic strategy is built upon it.

Palestinians Are No Longer Seeking Only Solidarity

Dana Habboub stated that Palestinians now need to set clear red lines, accompanied by international guarantees that will protect their rights and prevent these rights from being fragmented at the negotiation table. Emphasizing that initiatives to break the blockade have the potential not only to be symbolic but also to transform into strategic actions, Dana Habboub highlighted that online campaigns could also become an effective means of pressure. Saying, 'Palestinians are no longer seeking only solidarity,' Dana Habboub warned, 'They are now looking for a real strategy that will change the course of the cause. The current period is extremely critical; if it is not properly evaluated, a historic opportunity may be missed.'