American and British Hostility toward the Palestinian State

The level of British and American animosity toward Palestinian recognition as a nonmember state in the UN is shocking. The two countries are dead set against the recognition of Palestinian rights and are working together against the Palestinian people as though the Palestinians had committed genocide against the American and British people.

This ruthless, open hostility disregards the decision of the international community to acknowledge the Palestinians’ right to a state of their own. These countries that constantly dwell on themes of justice, freedom and the right to self-determination turned their backs completely when the same slogans and principles were applied to Arabs. These two countries have adopted the Israeli agenda in its entirety, with flagrant animosity to Arab-Palestinian rights and demands.

President Obama, who supposedly represents integrity, neutrality, democracy and the right to self-determination of oppressed and occupied peoples, as documented in his speeches and publications, promised full statehood for the Palestinians last September. After that promise, his shift to outright opposition to the Palestinians’ request for recognition is beyond belief. In his speeches to the nations of the world, Obama aligns himself with the Zionist state: with the occupation, settlements, racism, and wars, and against the liberation and self-determination of the Palestinian people.

In his remarks to the UN General Assembly, Obama stressed his “unshakable” commitment to Israel’s security, speaking at length on Jewish suffering and ignoring the decades of Palestinian suffering under the occupation. He noted the “ongoing threats” the Zionist state faces while calling to achieve a declaration of an independent Palestinian state, emphasizing his conviction that “the Palestinian people deserve a state of their own.” He referenced the sterile negotiations, stressing that “there is no short cut to the end of a conflict that has endured for decades… Peace will not come through statements and resolutions at the United Nations – if it were that easy, it would have been accomplished by now. Ultimately, it is the Israelis and the Palestinians who must live side by side. Ultimately, it is Israelis and Palestinians – not us – who must reach agreement on the issues that divide them: on borders and on security, on refugees and Jerusalem.”

Obama concluded with a biblical reference, saying, “Let’s be honest with ourselves: Israel is surrounded by neighbors that have waged repeated wars against it. Israel’s children come of age knowing that throughout the region, other children are taught to hate them. Israel, a small country of less than eight million people, looks out at a world where leaders of much larger nations threaten to wipe it off of the map. The Jewish people carry the burden of centuries of exile and persecution.”

We have over a century of British colonial policies hostile to Arab rights behind us. Britain’s lack of a vote against recognition does not confer innocence, for Britain abstained from voting on the Partition Resolution as well. Britain owes a hefty historical debt that cannot be reduced, forgotten or forgiven. British colonial policy produced the Palestinian tragedy of the twentieth century. Britain manufactured the Palestinian Nakba, and it is responsible for the past, present, and future grievances of Palestine. Wouldn’t it be better for these two countries to recognize their historical and ongoing mistake in denying the Palestinians the right to establish their own state? Wouldn’t it be better for them to stand with the overwhelming majority of nations that recognized Palestine in the UN?