138 to 9. An overwhelming majority, as the United Nations, with 41 abstenations, voted to recognize Palestine as a state. A historic step towards justified recognition and approval for a “country” that has long-struggled to be heard.
As a Muslim-American, it’s almost virtually impossible not to find myself in constant involvement with the infamous Iraeli-Palestenian conflict. Living in the United States, we’re so prone to feeling that Israel is such an overwhelming force in American politics; a heavily favored ally by all.
But for me, this vote wasn’t just recognition for a “state” but an eye-opener that there’s a whole world out there. As trite as that may sound, this vote wasn’t highly-contested. It was a clear symbol of global support.
Ironic really, since UN recognition gives Palestine no differential legal status. Their borders are still the same, they still have no power over their airspace and trade. They still have no unified police force and army and opposing governemnts in the both the Gaza Strip and West Bank. In fact, even in the United Nations, Palestine is short of gaining full voting membership.
Nonetheless, all through the night, in the West Bank and the struggling Gaza strip, Palestinans filled the streets in celebration. Because in reality, even without their problems solved and confliction and contention in their midst, this was the first step towards hope. That all of the fighting, deaths and even silence, at times wasn’t for nothing. It was the begininning of their realization of their rights.
The conflict ongoing in the Middle East is perhaps the most publicized and lengthy of all. It has not only drawn it’s two opposing parties but in reality, the whole world; drawing two very distinct lines. But no matter your political affiliation to the issue, Palestenians, and I’m not refering to Hamas, but Palestenians have struggled considerably during. To its core, the Israeli-Palestenian conflict is between political regimes, with many, on both sides, struggling in its midst.
Since 2000, 24,813 Palestinian homes have been destroyed by airstrikes and warfare. Currently the West Bank has a 16.5 percent unemployment rate and the Gaza strip with a shocking 40 percent. And in total there have been 6,568 Palestinian fatalities.
So yes, the vote technically has not much of a significant difference, but it means everything to those who have been caught up in the war lasting more than 20 years.
In an official statement to the UN, Palestinian Liberation Organisation Executive Committee member, Dr Hanan Ashrawi, thanked the 138 countries which voted in support of Palestine’s newly recognized status at the UN.
“You have given us hope, and we pledge to work with you to make this shared world of ours more peaceful and humane,” Ahrawi said.
