Google recognised Palestine on 1 May. It did so on its homepage. Earlier it referred to “The Palestinian Territories.” On 4 January, Abbas’ presidential decree acknowledged the State of Palestine. It followed gaining UN non-member observer status, reports Stephen Lendman on May 5.
“All Palestinian stamps, signs and official letterhead will henceforth be changed to bear the new name.”
Acknowledging Palestinian statehood stopped short of governing responsibly. Abbas is a longtime Israeli collaborator. It took him 24 years to accept what his silence rejects.
He should have done it long ago. The State of Palestine exists. On November 15, 1988 it wasproclaimed in Algiers. Abbas knows. He didn’t say. He governs like a subservient Israeli satrap. He disgraces himself in the process.
Previous articles explained Palestinian self-determination. In November 1988, the PLO adopted the Palestinian Declaration of Independence.
All UN Charter states (including America and Israel) provisionally recognised Palestinian independence. They did so in accordance with UN Charter article 80(1) and League Covenant article 22(4).
Palestine satisfies all essential criteria for sovereign independence. It qualifies for full de jure UN membership. It’s easily gotten. It’s long overdue.
Palestinians are denied it. Abbas didn’t seek it. He never explained why not. His longstanding collaboration with Israel tells all.
He promised to sign and ratify the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court. He hasn’t done it.
Doing so permits suing Israeli officials for crimes of war, against humanity, genocide and naked aggression.
Illegal settlements, outposts, Gaza’s siege, the Separation Wall, and other lawless practices can be challenged.
Palestine can join the Statute for the International Court of Justice (ICJ). The State of Israel can be sued on the above charges and others.
Palestine can join the Law of the Sea Convention. Doing so establishes sovereignty over its territorial waters. They contain significant gas reserves.
Estimates range up to a trillion cubic feet or more. Where there’s gas, there’s oil. Offshore resources belong to Palestine, not Israel.
Palestine can become a High Contracting Party to the Four Geneva Conventions. They deal with laws of war and accountability.
Palestine can join the International Civil Aviation Organization. Doing so affords control of its own airspace.
Palestine can join the International Telecommunications Union. With it comes sovereign control over its airwaves, phone lines, and bandwidth.
Sovereign states have many rights. Palestine’s new status affords all of the above. They don’t matter if not invoked.
Expect little from Abbas ahead. He’s Israel’s enforcer. He’s nearing retirement. He betrayed his people for years. He won’t change things now. Palestinians deserve much better. They won’t get it with him around. He governs illegitimately.
On October 28, 1974, the Seventh Arab League Summit Conference Resolution on Palestine designated the PLO as “sole legitimate representative of the Palestinian people.”
Numerous General Assembly resolutions affirmed it. Palestine’s Provisional Government is the PLO Executive Committee. Under international law, the PA has no authorisation to negotiate on behalf of the Palestinian people. Abbas does it anyway.
Last November, the General Assembly voted overwhelmingly to upgrade Palestine. It did so to non-member observer status. Only nine countries voted no.
They included Israel, America, Canada, the Czech Republic, Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Nauru, Palau, and Panama.
Better late than never. On May 1, Google noticed. It recognised Palestine….