The Challenge of Palestinian Statehood: Leadership and Division

Earlier this month, a Palestinian diplomat called Husam Zomlot was invited to a discussion at the Chatham House think tank in London. Belgium had just joined the UK, France, and other countries in promising to recognise a Palestinian state at the United Nations in New York. And Dr. Zomlot was clear that this was a significant moment.

Weeks on, that has now come to pass. The UK, Canada, and Australia, who are all traditionally strong allies of Israel, have finally taken this step. Sir Keir Starmer announced the UK's move in a video posted on social media, stating, In the face of the growing horror in the Middle East, we are acting to keep alive the possibility of peace and of a two-state solution.

More than 150 countries had previously recognised a Palestinian state, but the addition of the UK and the other countries is seen as a pivotal moment. However, the recognition raises complex questions about what constitutes a Palestinian state and who would lead it.

Four criteria for statehood are listed in the 1933 Montevideo Convention. Palestine can justifiably lay claim to two: a permanent population and the capacity to enter into international relations, as evidenced by figures like Dr. Zomlot. But it struggles with the requirement of a defined territory, particularly as peace deals have yet to establish final borders.

For Palestinians, their desired state consists of East Jerusalem, the West Bank, and the Gaza Strip—territories seized by Israel during the 1967 Six-Day War. Yet geographical separations and political fragmentation, particularly between the Palestinian Authority and Hamas, hinder any cohesive governance.

The war in Gaza has exacerbated this fragmentation, leaving the Palestinian Authority, led by Mahmoud Abbas, feeling increasingly powerless. Abbas has not been able to significantly respond to the conflict's devastation, leading to calls for new leadership as the population expresses disillusionment with the current governance.

In a recent opinion poll, many Palestinians expressed a preference for Marwan Barghouti, a prominent leader currently imprisoned, over Abbas. This reflects a yearning for fresh leadership capable of addressing the current challenges. As the international community engages in discussions about recognition and peace, the lack of unified leadership in Palestine remains a crucial question.