Why a Palestinian state matters

When the State of Palestine was proclaimed in November 1988 during a meeting of the Palestine National Council in Algiers, the accompanying Declaration of Independence made it clear that the nation “believed in the solution of international and regional problems by peaceful means in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations” and “rejected the threat or use of force, violence and intimidation against its territorial integrity and political independence or those of any other State”.

Almost 36 years since the leadership of the State of Palestine committed itself to those laudable ideals, and in the teeth of a horrific war, the country’s people are inching closer to true sovereignty – that is, by securing international recognition as a state. Yesterday, three European countries – Ireland, Norway and Spain – took the historic step of saying they would recognise Palestine, joining the more than 140 nations who voted this month in New York in favour of supporting Palestine's bid for full UN membership.

Given the ongoing occupation of Palestinian territories, as well as the violence raging in Gaza and the West Bank that has claimed more than 35,000 Palestinian lives, many will ask what this will achieve. Recognising a state that does not exist in a functioning sense and that cannot exercise sovereignty over its territory may seem like a gesture rich in symbolism but lacking in substance.

The sign for the Palestinian mission office in Dublin, following the announcement by Irish Prime Minister Simon Harris that his country will join Spain and Norway in formally recognising the State of Palestine. PA

This is not the case. While no one is suggesting that statehood is a panacea for Palestine’s many problems, it is nevertheless an essential step in moving towards the two-state solution that the vast majority of the international community supports. Recognition means changing the narrative from one in which a Palestinian state is an ill-defined goal to be reached as part of some far-off negotiations, to one in which two entities – the State of Israel and the State of Palestine – confront their problems as legal and diplomatic equals in international law.

Recognition means Palestinians can access diplomatic mechanisms for the future resolution of issues such as the status of Jerusalem, the rights of Palestinian refugees, access to water, financial disputes with Israel and so on. It importantly also means control over borders and air space. There are international routes to resolving such disputes but they can only be accessed by two states, not one state and a string of fragmented Palestinian cantons.

Sadly, the current situation is one in which a UN member state remains locked in conflict with a collection of people living in occupied territory and who lack a universally recognised state of their own. This is no basis for a settlement; it is a recipe for unending conflict.

Israeli engagement with a Palestinian state would not be a reward for the violence of Hamas, as some right-wing critics claim. Accepting Palestinian statehood is an unavoidable reality of building a secure future for Israelis, too. Israel’s response to yesterday’s news – withdrawing its ambassadors from friendly European countries – shows that there is unfortunately still a long way to go. Israel finds itself increasingly isolated, with only eight other countries voting with it against full Palestinian membership of the UN.

Similarly, there are serious obstacles to functioning statehood on the Palestinian side. Aside from the current war and an Israeli leadership that is dedicated to thwarting Palestinian independence, the fact that the current Palestinian leadership lacks widespread legitimacy, has little say in Gaza and is chronically divided between rival factions makes statehood even more challenging.

Nevertheless, the tide is turning and the handful of countries that still hold out against Palestinian statehood now find themselves outliers in the international community. The arguments for statehood are clear and there is no reason for Palestinians to wait another 36 years for a country of their own.

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Countries recognising Palestine

France, UK, Canada, Australia, Portugal, Belgium, Malta, Luxembourg, San Marino and Andorra

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BMW M5 specs

Engine: 4.4-litre twin-turbo V-8 petrol enging with additional electric motor

Power: 727hp

Torque: 1,000Nm

Transmission: 8-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 10.6L/100km

On sale: Now

Price: From Dh650,000

The%20specs

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Iftar programme at the Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding

Established in 1998, the Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding was created with a vision to teach residents about the traditions and customs of the UAE. Its motto is ‘open doors, open minds’. All year-round, visitors can sign up for a traditional Emirati breakfast, lunch or dinner meal, as well as a range of walking tours, including ones to sites such as the Jumeirah Mosque or Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood.

Every year during Ramadan, an iftar programme is rolled out. This allows guests to break their fast with the centre’s presenters, visit a nearby mosque and observe their guides while they pray. These events last for about two hours and are open to the public, or can be booked for a private event.

Until the end of Ramadan, the iftar events take place from 7pm until 9pm, from Saturday to Thursday. Advanced booking is required.

For more details, email openminds@cultures.ae or visit www.cultures.ae

'The worst thing you can eat'

Trans fat is typically found in fried and baked goods, but you may be consuming more than you think.

Powdered coffee creamer, microwave popcorn and virtually anything processed with a crust is likely to contain it, as this guide from Mayo Clinic outlines:

Baked goods - Most cakes, cookies, pie crusts and crackers contain shortening, which is usually made from partially hydrogenated vegetable oil. Ready-made frosting is another source of trans fat.

Snacks - Potato, corn and tortilla chips often contain trans fat. And while popcorn can be a healthy snack, many types of packaged or microwave popcorn use trans fat to help cook or flavour the popcorn.

Fried food - Foods that require deep frying — french fries, doughnuts and fried chicken — can contain trans fat from the oil used in the cooking process.

Refrigerator dough - Products such as canned biscuits and cinnamon rolls often contain trans fat, as do frozen pizza crusts.

Creamer and margarine - Nondairy coffee creamer and stick margarines also may contain partially hydrogenated vegetable oils.

BMW%20M4%20Competition

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Result

2.15pm: Maiden Dh75,000 1,950m; Winner: Majestic Thunder, Tadhg O’Shea (jockey), Satish Seemar (trainer).

2.45pm: Handicap Dh80,000 1,800m; Winner: Tailor’s Row, Royston Ffrench, Salem bin Ghadayer.

3.15pm: Handicap Dh85,000 1,600m; Winner: Native Appeal, Adam McLean, Doug Watson.

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4.15pm: Handicap Dh100,000 1,400m; Winner: Pilgrim’s Treasure, Tadhg O’Shea, Satish Seemar.

4.45pm: Maiden Dh75,000 1,400m; Winner: Sanad Libya, Richard Mullen, Satish Seemar.

5.15pm: Handicap Dh90,000 1,000m; Winner: Midlander, Richard Mullen, Satish Seemar

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets

Lexus LX700h specs

Engine: 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 plus supplementary electric motor

Power: 464hp at 5,200rpm

Torque: 790Nm from 2,000-3,600rpm

Transmission: 10-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 11.7L/100km

On sale: Now

Price: From Dh590,000

MOUNTAINHEAD REVIEW

Starring: Ramy Youssef, Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman

Director: Jesse Armstrong

Rating: 3.5/5

In numbers

1,000 tonnes of waste collected daily:

800 tonnes converted into alternative fuel
150 tonnes to landfill
50 tonnes sold as scrap metal

800 tonnes of RDF replaces 500 tonnes of coal

Two conveyor lines treat more than 350,000 tonnes of waste per year

25 staff on site

RESULTS

Men
1 Marius Kipserem (KEN) 2:04:04
2 Abraham Kiptum (KEN) 2:04:16
3 Dejene Debela Gonfra (ETH) 2:07:06
4 Thomas Rono (KEN) 2:07:12
5 Stanley Biwott (KEN) 2:09:18

Women
1 Ababel Yeshaneh (ETH) 2:20:16
2 Eunice Chumba (BRN) 2:20:54
3 Gelete Burka (ETH) 2:24:07
4 Chaltu Tafa (ETH) 2:25:09
5 Caroline Kilel (KEN) 2:29:14