Blinken Criticizes Early Recognition of Palestine

(MENAFN) Former U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken voiced strong criticism of the decision by France, Canada, Australia, and the UK to recognize Palestine, describing it as "too hasty."

In an opinion piece published on Monday for The Wall Street Journal, Blinken acknowledged that while the decision may have been morally justified, it appeared rushed and lacked consideration of the current realities on the ground.

He stated that, given the ongoing crisis in Gaza, the focus on recognizing Palestine seemed misplaced.

“Yet with the Gaza crisis still unfolding, this focus on recognition seems totally beside the more pressing realities. Amid the suffering of Palestinian civilians and Israeli hostages—and Israel’s announced plan to occupy all or part of the enclave—averting famine, recovering the hostages and ending the conflict in Gaza are the priorities. Talk of two states can wait,” Blinken wrote.

Blinken stressed the need for a "time-bound, conditions-based path toward recognizing a Palestinian state" rather than offering immediate and unconditional recognition.

He argued that any such recognition should be contingent on certain responsibilities.

“Recognition should also be conditions-based. While Palestinians have a right to self-determination, with that right comes responsibility,” he explained.

Furthermore, Blinken expressed his belief that Palestinian recognition, under the current circumstances, would only serve to undermine efforts to combat Hamas.

He argued that the recognition of a Palestinian state should be contingent upon the creation of a stable, peaceful state.

He noted that a "reasonable time frame" for addressing the necessary conditions would be three years, enough time for Palestinians to demonstrate that their state-building efforts would focus on constructing a viable nation, not on destroying Israel.

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