The US government, which has persistently supported a two-state solution, is vacillating this time. Europe has lost its cohesion on the issue, as well. Needless to say, Israel is vehemently opposed to any solution short of reducing Palestine to a dependent colony.
Led by France, some of the EU countries are supporting the PA's claim for statehood. Conversely, particularly Germany, Italy, the Netherlands and the Czech Republic have signaled that they will oppose the move, although a two-state settlement has been part of the long-term official EU line to ease the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.
Their motives differ but the declared reason for the Germans' decision is more psychological (may be psychiatric). German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle said in a meeting of EU countries in Sopot, Poland, on Sep. 3-4 that "Germany has a particular responsibility towards Israel" because of the German Nazi persecution and obliteration of the European Jewish population during World War II. This statement is fair and considerate but what about the suffering and long-time humiliation of the Palestinians?
The European rejectionists' attitude toward the Palestinians puts the EU's political and moral power at risk and could undermine the alliance's ability to play a positive role in conflicts in the Middle East. If the EU does not demonstrate a united resolve in supporting the Palestinian bid for statehood it will lose whatever remaining political and moral influence it has in this region and Muslim countries.
In the face of European governments currently opposing the recognition of a Palestinian state, French Foreign Minister Alain Juppé urged his colleagues to act together in order to ensure that "neither Israel nor the PA suffer a defeat, nor the US be forced into isolated support of Israel."
What is perplexing is that EU member states, especially Germany, have supported the establishment of a Palestinian state with considerable financial and technical assistance since the 1993 Oslo peace accords. These accords were reached between the Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO) and Israel with the invaluable support and mediation of European countries. As a consequence, in 1999, towards the end of the end of the interim period agreed in Oslo, the EU announced that it would consider recognizing a Palestinian state “in due course.” Germany was the largest European supporter of the Palestinian Authority at the time, so its opposition to the PA's claim for statehood is now not only inconsistent at best, but morally questionable.
Some European intellectuals and politicians are aware of this fact and talk about a "catastrophe" if the PA gets enough votes at the UN General Assembly. This likelihood may be aborted by an American veto at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC). This would no doubt be another catastrophe that will undermine the legitimacy of the UN and the semblance of democracy and “free will” of the nations. A UN General Assembly vote declaring that it “collectively recognized” Palestine would be more symbolic than legal if vetoed by the UNSC. Such an outcome will further discredit the UN and expose its instrumental function as a power center.
To avoid such a catastrophic outcome, some European countries, including Austria, Belgium, Finland, Luxemburg, Poland, Slovenia, Spain, France and Sweden, are trying to persuade the PA to seek an upgrade to observer status, similar to that of the Vatican. Turkey is also supporting this solution.
This may drastically decrease the growing tension at the UN. A draft resolution for an upgraded status would only require a simple majority in the 193-member General Assembly. Although Israel, the United States and some of their close allies may vote against such a resolution or abstain from voting, the Palestinians will most certainly get their enhanced status in the General Assembly. This is of course if they decide to go about the recommended modus operandi.
