France to recognize Palestine at ‘useful moment’, Denmark sets terms

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
29 May 2024 09:05

Denmark is demanding conditions for Palestine's recognition to be met despite an ongoing genocide.

Listen

French President Emmanuel Macron, right, greets Denmark's Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen during a round table meeting at a European Union Summit in Brussels, on March 21, 2024. (AP)

Denmark and France will not recognize the State of Palestine in the meantime, each citing different reasons, after Ireland, Spain, and Norway made their recognition of Palestine official on Tuesday.

In Copenhagen, the parliament rejected a proposal to recognize a Palestinian state, backing the government's view that the "necessary conditions" for such a decision were not in place. For the majority of Danish lawmakers, in order to recognize the Palestinian state, the Palestinians should have a functioning authority or control over their territory.

Ironically, the Danish government, on multiple occasions, has condemned the Resistance of the Palestinian people aiming to position themselves in both Danish requirements for recognition. Moreover, the Palestinian Resistance, led by Hamas, has been able to meet its responsibilities in the Gaza Strip, despite all the efforts of the Israeli occupation to destroy governmental and civilian institutions and functions in the besieged Gaza Strip, a feat that European countries will definitely ignore.

The bill to recognize the Palestinian state was proposed by four leftist parties, including The Alternative, whose representative in parliament Sascha Faxe said recognizing a Palestinian state was the only way to achieve "lasting peace" in the Middle East.

'Useful moment' not here yet

As for France, President Emmanuel Macron said that he "will not do an emotional recognition," saying that his government is looking to recognize Palestine "at a useful moment."

Despite never-ending Israeli onslaughts on the Palestinian population and the blatant violations of international law by the Israeli occupation, Macron and his predecessors have never been "totally ready" to recognize Palestinian statehood.

"There are no taboos for France, and I am totally ready to recognize a Palestinian state… I think this recognition must be at a useful moment," Macron told a joint news conference with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz in Germany.

Concurrently, Macron also condemned the Israeli operations in Rafah, calling them "horrifying", adding that they "must stop".

Yet, the French government has taken concrete steps to aid Palestinian rights or sanction the Israeli regime for its flagrant violation and disregard for international law, in order to facilitate an end to the horrifying Rafah invasion.

European status quo uneasy over growing support for Palestine

On Tuesday, Ireland, Spain, and Norway all officially recognized the State of Palestine, setting up the perfect environment for other European countries to follow suit. However, some states and European officials remain deeply complicit in Israeli crimes, for providing political, military, and financial support for the occupation to carry out its crimes against Palestinians.

One such official is Ursula Von Der Leyen, the president of the European Commission, who has been at the forefront of officials accused of aiding the genocide of the Palestinian people.

The discussion has primarily revolved around suspending the European Association Agreement with the Israeli regime, which awards both parties favorable trade conditions in bilateral transactions.

Von Der Leyen has staunchly defended the association agreement despite "Israel's" clear violation of its terms, specifically clauses discussing international law and human rights.

European leaders' support for "Israel" despite clear evidence of violations was most evident in a meeting of EU ministers on Monday, where despite the presence of "significant" discussions on sanctioning the Israeli regime, rifts in deterrent measures led to inaction on the matter.

Until European leaders live up to their moral obligations, the Palestinian Resistance continues to defend the Palestinian people, whose steadfastness has been unmatched, despite eight months of genocide.