International recognition for Palestine

Double click to enlarge.

If you follow my web log at all, you know that I like maps and charts as a way to convey information.  There is a lot of good information in the map above.

One of the things that this map shows is that most of the world gives some sort of acknowledgement of the existence both the Israeli and Palestinian nations.

The biggest exception is a bloc of Muslim nations, including all the nations except Egypt and Jordan that declared war on Israel in 1948, plus Bhutan (!) and North Korea.  Even though the United States is Israel’s chief ally and supporter, the governments of Iraq and Afghanistan, which were put in power by the United States, refuse to recognize the legitimacy of Israel as a nation.  Likewise Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Indonesia, all U.S. allies, refuse recognition.

Very few nations are found on the corresponding opposite side, refusing to acknowledge the existence of Palestine as a nation.  They are all minor countries—South Sudan, Guatemala, Panama, the Dominican Republic, Haiti, Jamaica, the former Yugoslav Macedonia, Armenia and Burma (Myanmar).

The United States and most U.S. allies recognize Israel, but have some sort of acknowledgement of the Palestinian nation.  Most of the rest of the world recognizes both countries, which is what the United States ought to do.

This is all very interesting, at least it is to me, but only two nations on this map really count, and they are Israel and Palestine themselves.   It is up to the leaders of these two nations to determine when Israel will be at peace and Palestine will be free.

[Added 12/6/12] While I sympathize with the plight of the Palestinian Arab people, I have no ill will toward the people or nation of Israel. I don’t think Israel has done anything that many other nations, including the United States, have not done. I hope that someday the people of Israel will be able to live in peace and the people of Arab Palestine will be able to live in peace and freedom. I don’t think this can happen so long as the government of Israel keeps the people of Arab Palestine in a state of perpetual misery and terror while expanding settlements on the West Bank.

Click on Parents Circle Families Forum for the web site of an organization that brings together bereaved Israeli and Palestinian families.

[Added 12/16/12]  Click on Symbolic? Think Again! for more about international recognition of Palestine.

Tags: Diplomatic Recognition of Israel, Diplomatic Recognition of Palestine, Israel, Israel and Palestine, Palestine