Joy to worry: Palestinians react to the recognition of their statehood

Palestinian reactions to the formally acknowledging of a Palestinian statehood in the occupied West Bank ranged from dread that Israel would use this as a cue to attack them more violently were waning.

The State of Palestine is now recognized by more than 150 nations.

Dura and Adel Shadid

Adel Shadid, 59, spoke to Al Jazeera in the hills over Dura, a city located southwest of Hebron, about his research on Israel and Zionism.

He referred to the “partial historical correction” of Britain’s recognition of the Palestinian state that lays the groundwork for the Nakba, or “catastrophe,” the widespread displacement of Palestinians since Israel’s founding, and the Balfour Declaration, which he called the “partial historical correction” of Britain.

He also thinks that the recognitions undermine Israel’s claim that there is a Palestinian peoples’ existence and that international organizations are speaking out against Israel’s genocidal war in Gaza and land seizures.

A shock to Israel is the change in the positions of a number of nations, including major European nations with permanent seats on the [UN] Security Council, such as France and Britain, because these are the same nations that contributed to the development of the Zionist project since its inception. Its direct challenge is that this recognition comes despite the Israeli position.

Shadid believes that recognition reflects nations’ support for the Palestinian people’s right to a state as well as a negative turn in how the West views Israel, which has long been seen as a representative of Western civilization in the Middle East, is perceived.

He continued, noting that Israel has worked for years to thwart the establishment of a Palestinian state.

Without a homeland, land, or geography, the state will continue to exist on paper, even if the entire world accepts Palestine. He cited Israel’s “intensification of its confiscations of Palestinian land] and the illegal settlement construction as justifications,” citing Israel’s efforts to dismantle the Palestinian Authority.

Shadid concluded by asking the Palestinians, “What has this recognition brought you?,” to explain that the Palestinians will not soon see the results of the recognitions on Sunday and Monday.

But he added with assurance that “power has limits,” and Israel’s actions won’t last forever.

Man sits by his coffee pot in the market — Raed al-Saeed feels that he has seen everyone’s take on the recent developments from his position in Hebron’s central market [Mosab Shawer/Al Jazeera]

Hebron, Raed al-Saeed

Raed al-Saeed, 50, runs the Hebron central market, where he sells coffee and converses with customers all day.

He expressed his gratitude to Mahmoud Abbas, president of the Palestinian Authority (PA), claiming that his efforts helped more nations recognize the Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital.

Al-Saeed said that the Palestinian people would benefit most from the United States’ recognition of the Palestinian state, which they are anticipating.

Al-Saeed believes he has a good idea of the range of reactions people around him experience each day because he spends a lot of time talking and listening to people.

Some people are optimistic about the recognitions, but others are pessimistic and worried because they fear Israel’s actions could affect every Palestinian and make their lives worse.

Kind-looking woman in a grey hijab gestures as she speaks — Maram Nassar believes in political, diplomatic, and economic benefits, but she worries that the recognitions could further entice Israel to establish a viable Palestinian state.

Hebron, Maram Nassar

Maram Nassar, 31, is an international law specialist who sees a lot of potential in this most recent development.

In light of the catastrophes and famine that Gaza is experiencing, she thinks that the recent recognitions are the result of a long process.

She said that adding these nations to the list of nations that have already recognized Palestine only strengthens Palestine’s standing internationally and gives it more authority to negotiate, which might even force Israel to abide by UN and Security Council resolutions that it has ignored for decades.

She said that this will enable Palestine to establish more embassies and expand its diplomatic reach further.

Economically, she said, this could lead to more Israeli product boycotts, stifling trade with Israel, and opening up new sources of direct financial support for the Palestinian people, especially since Israel is under pressure to withhold money from the PA and taxes from it, she said.

Nassar worries that the US and Israel might put pressure on some nations to withdraw their recognitions, which would turn off some nations.

She believes that Britain’s recognition, in particular, is crucial because, according to her, it lessens the influence of the occupation and makes the establishment of a Palestinian state easier.