Recognition since 1948
As of 2024, 143 members of the UN (from 193 states) have recognised Palestine as an individual, sovereign state. Here is a breakdown and an analysis of when nations worldwide recognised Palestinian Statehood.
1948-1988:
- A total of 75 nations officially recognised Palestine as an independent state in 1988 when the Palestinians declared Independence.
- Between 1948-1988, the Palestinian state was recognised unofficially mainly by Arab and Muslim majority nations.
1989-2009:
- From 1989-2009, a further 27 states recognised Palestinian Statehood.
2010-2023:
- From 2010 – 2023 a further 27 states, once again recognised Palestinian legitimacy.
2024:
- In 2024 alone, a total of 3 states are expected to formally recognise Palestine on the 28th of May.
- These countries include Spain, Norway and Ireland, being the first 3 from Western Europe in official recognition of the state.
- This comes after almost 9 months of Israeli bombardment on Gaza, killing almost 40,000 Palestinians alongside the continued displacement and land theft of the Palestinians in the west bank.
Involvement of International Organisations in Palestinian legitimacy
- A number of International Organisations have played significant roles in advancing the cause for a Palestinian State including the UN and the OIC. Since 1948, several resolutions in the UN have been passed reaffirming the human rights for Palestinians, their right to self determination but also upgrading their position in the UN from a non-member observer entity" to a "non-member observer state" - this was known as UN General Assembly Resolution 67/19 passed in 2012.
- The Organisation of Islamic Corporation (OIC) has also been an extremely strong advocate for Palestinian statehood and sovereignty. In 1974 the OIC officially recognised the PLO as the authority of the Palestinian people. In 1988 they officially recognised the Palestinian state as a sovereign nation, advocating for other nations to take the same steps.
The Arab league is another organisation that has supported the Palestinian cause since its creation. Just as the OIC did, the Arab league recognised the PLO as the authoritative body for the Palestinian people and granted them an observer status in 1974. They also recognised Palestine when they had declared independence in 1988.
Effects of Geopolitical Dynamics
- There have been countless nations involved, directly and indirectly with the progression of Palestine as a state. From a number of wars fought by the surrounding Arab nations against Israel to proxies established by states strongest in the region. The main nations involved are some of the biggest, including the US, Iran and Saudi Arabia
- From 2012-2020, Iran spent a substantial $16 Billion on its various proxies, including allocating $700 Million to Hezbollah alone, who have been actively engaging Israeli forces over the last 8 months. They have also hugely funded and assisted Palestinian groups throughout Gaza, including the PIJ and Hamas. These investments by Iran have hugely shifted the dynamics within Israel and Palestine, making it difficult for the Israeli Military to efficiently combat these various groups.
- The United States has also played a huge part in this conflict, giving the Israelis Billions in Financial and Military aid. From 1951 – 2022, the Israelis have received a staggering $92.7 Billion from the US, with a standard contribution averaging $3 Billion annually. An MOU, signed in 2016 ensured further aid of up to $38 Billion from 2019 – 2028, further reflecting the huge impact the US has on the region and its conflict.