This is edition 2025/145 of the Ten@10 newsletter.
Hi all,
This is the Ten@10, where I collate and summarise ten news items you generally won't see in the mainstream media.
Enjoy!
1. Can the Government answer these questions if it recognises a Palestinian State?
David Farrar
- 🇵🇸 Palestinian State Recognition: New Zealand is likely to recognize a Palestinian State soon, following Australia's lead. Canada and the UK are also heading in the same direction.
- 🌍 Two-State Solution: The majority agree that a two-state solution, Israel and Palestine, is better than a one-state solution. The missed opportunity in 1947 and during Arab control from 1948 to 1967 is regrettable.
- 📜 International Law Criteria: A state must meet four criteria: Defined Territory, Permanent Population, Effective Government, and the Capacity to Enter into Relations with Other States.
- 🗺️ Defined Territory: Uncertainty about Palestinian territory, as it involves disputed areas. Would a Palestinian State include Ramallah, Gaza, and East Jerusalem, or would the boundaries be unclear?
- 👥 Permanent Population: This requirement is met, as there are residents in Palestinian territories.
- ⚖️ Effective Government: This is the toughest issue. Gaza is governed by Hamas, Ramallah by the Palestinian Authority (PA), and East Jerusalem by Israel. It's unclear who truly governs each area.
- 🏙️ East Jerusalem Divided: Polls show that Arab residents of East Jerusalem are divided on whether to be part of Palestine. Many prefer Israeli citizenship, and only a minority support Palestinian sovereignty.
- 🏛️ Palestinian Authority's Challenges: Mahmoud Abbas is unpopular, with low satisfaction ratings. 94% of Palestinians want him to resign, and 80% view the PA as corrupt.
- 🏝️ Gaza's Governance: Hamas governs Gaza, with most residents wanting it to continue. Only a small fraction prefer the Palestinian Authority to govern Gaza.
- 🌐 Capacity for Diplomacy: The capacity to enter into international relations is not an issue.
- 🌟 Hope for Peace: While the boundaries and government structure of Palestine are unclear, there's hope for a peaceful state that coexists with Israel, without seeking to eliminate it.
- ❓ New Zealand's Recognition: If New Zealand recognizes Palestine, it needs to clearly answer questions about who governs and what territory is recognized.
