Vatican recognition of Palestine could fuel European debate

The Vatican's decision to recognise the state of Palestine in a treaty for the first time has drawn a stern response from Israel, but it may usher in a freer debate in Europe about how to proceed on the vexed Palestinian question.

The Holy See has referred to Palestine since 2012, but the treaty concluded on Wednesday, which covers the Church's activities in areas controlled by the Palestinian Authority, marks a more formal recognition, which Vatican officials said they hoped would benefit Israeli–Palestinian ties in time.

An Israeli foreign ministry official described the Vatican's move as a "disappointment" and indicated that it may lead to reprisals, although he did not say of what kind. "This does not promote the peace process and a Palestinian return to negotiations," the official said. "Israel will study the agreement and consider its next steps accordingly."

The Vatican, increasingly proactive in foreign policy under Pope Francis, is far from the only state to have recognised Palestine: 135 members of the United Nations have already done so, nearly 70 per cent of the total. By comparison, 160 of the UN's 193 members recognise Israel. Last October, Sweden became the first major European country to acknowledge Palestine, a decision that drew condemnation from Israel and has since led to tense relations between the two.

The European Union as a whole does not recognise Palestine, taking the same view as the United States that an independent country can emerge only via negotiations with Israel, not through a process of unilateral recognition. But with the last talks between Israel and the Palestinians having broken down more than a year ago, and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu having pledged the day before his re-election in March that there would be no Palestinian state on his watch, diplomats are wondering what options they have left.

Last year, an EU foreign minister visiting the region asked during closed-door meetings whether it wasn't time to drop the goal of a two-state solution – the bedrock of peace negotiations since the mid-1970s – and consider alternatives. Ahead of a meeting of EU foreign ministers on Monday, one senior EU diplomat said the time was drawing near when the 28-country bloc might have to acknowledge that a two-state solution cannot be reached.

"Ministers need to have an informed discussion," the diplomat said. "Part of that is to say: 'OK, the two-state solution is dead'." If Israel's primary objective is to maintain the status-quo, pursuing a one-state solution would put Tel Aviv under considerable pressure, he added. "That scares the hell out of most Israelis, but that is the consequence of walking away from the two-state solution ... accepting a one-state solution."

The Vatican's move may not spur an immediate shift in Europe. But the Holy See's deputy foreign minister said he hoped it would encourage the international community "to undertake more decisive action to contribute to a lasting peace and to the hoped-for two-state solution".

The senior EU diplomat echoed that point, saying it was time for the EU to take a greater leadership role. "We need proposals to support peace, but also we need to look at what leverage Europe has, what steps Europe could take to exert pressure on Israel," he said.    (Reuters)

Visit Qantara.de's dossier on the Middle East peace process