SPSC Statement, 26 June 2024
A motion calling for the recognition of the State of Palestine will be introduced by former First Minister Humza Yousaf in the Scottish Parliament on Wednesday 26th June. This follows similar moves by other European countries, such as Ireland, Norway and Spain. On the face of it, this appears to be a genuine effort to show solidarity with Palestinians in a time of genocide. However, we should be aware of the limits and indeed dangers of such declarations.
Support for a Palestinian state inevitably aligns with the so-called two-state solution, an arrangement that has been pursued over the last 30 years with complete dishonesty by Israel’s Western allies, permitting the apartheid state of Israel to dictate or ignore all aspects of one-sided ‘negotiations’ whilst relentlessly expanding its illegal settlements. In truth, no Israeli government has ever countenanced a sovereign and independent Palestinian state between the Jordan River and the Mediterranean Sea. The current Israeli Government is only more open about this commitment than others in the past.
The Palestinian people have the right to self-determination, a core principle of international law. Yet, motions such as that being debated in the Scottish Parliament pre-determine that ‘a two-state solution is the only viable path for peace between Israel and Palestine’. Peace can only be achieved through equality, justice and freedom for Palestinians – an end to the occupation of Arab lands, full equality for Palestinian citizens of Israel, and respect for the right of refugees to return. This requires the complete dismantling of the Zionist regime of settler colonialism and apartheid.
Liberation for the Palestinian people cannot be realised within any two-state solution that is conceived and promoted by Israel’s US and European allies. For them the attraction of the two-state solution is its pretence of even-handedness when the real objective is to retain a dominant and heavily armed Zionist state in Israel as an ally. In this state, the apartheid regime continues, and Palestinians will never enjoy equality, justice or freedom.
Recognition of the state of Palestine is inherently bound to the last 30 years of this two-state narrative, which has been rigorously pushed by Western powers onto colonised Palestinians. Given that eight hundred thousand settlers live in modern towns and villages on occupied land in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, any solution must take this fact into account. The reality is that Palestinians and Israel’s Jewish population live on the same small area of land, in almost equal numbers, but with Palestinians segregated and controlled under an apartheid regime. As long as the apartheid regime remains in place, there is no possibility of a sovereign Palestinian state.
Clinging on to notions that the ‘two-state solution’ is the only solution that will bring peace not only interferes with the Palestinian right to self-determination, but it also serves to obscure the reality of the Israeli regime and, especially today, provides cover for a genocidal rampage across the whole of historic Palestine. We understand that some advocates of the two-state solution and recognition of a Palestinian state are motivated by genuine sympathy for the Palestinian cause. However, these calls can also demonstrate the colonial mindset of Western governments and institutions, revealing both arrogance and cowardice.
Instead, cutting off relations, divesting and imposing sanctions on Israel should be the actions of any government that cares about human rights, especially at a time of genocide. We would prefer to see a motion which first and foremost recognises the genocide and apartheid being practised by Israel, and furthermore acknowledges BDS as the only means to holding Israel to account given the failure of all other mechanisms.
SPSC’s position is to support the Palestinian liberation struggle and right to self-determination. We actively campaign in support of demands made by Palestinian civil society in the 2005 BDS call. Israel will never change without being compelled to, and for us and many others internationally, the boycott, divestment and sanctions (BDS) campaign remains the means by which we can provide essential and effective solidarity with Palestine.
