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 Palestine 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.
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.
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 already do so, nearly 70 percent 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. The European Union as a whole does not recognise Palestine. 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. They could include the unilateral recognition of Palestine by the EU as a whole or by member states.
Another option, favoured by some high-profile Israelis, including President Reuven Rivlin, is a one-state solution, which would involve one nation with equal rights for Jews and Arabs living in Israel, Gaza and the West Bank.
While a radical proposal - would it be a Jewish state if more than half the population is Muslim? How would Islamists in Gaza accept it? - it has begun to be mentioned in some corners of Brussels.
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 United States shows no signs of shifting from the two-state goal.
But the Obama administration has expressed frustration with Netanyahu’s policies, including continued settlement building on land the Palestinians seek for a state.