The conflict in Palestine remains one of the most painful and politically charged crises in the modern world. The struggle is not only about territory, but also about identity, dignity, and the recognition of a people’s right to statehood.
One story that stands out is that of Abdel Aziz Majarmeh, a grieving father from Jenin. His 13-year-old son, Islam, was fatally shot by Israeli soldiers earlier this month at the entrance to Jenin refugee camp. Abdel Aziz recalls:
“My son collapsed to the ground, and soldiers aimed their weapons at me. I pleaded in my heart, asking: why target a 13-year-old child when I am standing right here? If you must shoot, then shoot me instead.”
This heartbreaking testimony is more than just a personal tragedy—it is a reflection of the powerlessness many Palestinian families feel under military occupation. Abdel Aziz explained that he had only gone to the camp to retrieve important family documents from his home, yet he found himself returning with his son’s lifeless body.
Israeli Actions and Palestinian Struggles
The Jenin refugee camp, once intended to be under the Palestinian Authority’s civil control following the Oslo Accords of the 1990s, is now heavily occupied by Israeli forces. Tanks, checkpoints, and demolitions have turned parts of Jenin and nearby Tulkarem into permanent military zones.
According to Jenin’s mayor, Mohammed Jarrar, almost 40% of Jenin is now classified as a military area, and around a quarter of its residents—entire families—have been displaced from their homes. He argues that this is not merely a “security operation,” but a broader political plan aimed at preparing for the annexation of the West Bank.
At the same time, the Palestinian Authority has been crippled economically. Israel continues to withhold tax revenues, making it difficult for the PA to pay salaries for teachers, police officers, and civil servants. While Israel accuses the PA of funding terrorism through payments to the families of slain militants, the PA insists it has scrapped that program.
International Recognition and Its Symbolism
Despite these grim realities, international recognition of Palestine continues to grow. Recently, the United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia formally recognized a Palestinian state—joining over 140 countries that have already done so.
For Palestinians, this recognition is not only symbolic but also deeply significant. Mayor Jarrar noted:
“I know recognition may trigger even more occupation, but it confirms that the Palestinian people possess a state, even if under occupation. Recognition will help shape our future and force the international community to defend our rights.”
This demonstrates the paradox: while Israel expands settlements and consolidates control, recognition abroad strengthens the Palestinian cause diplomatically.
Israeli Perspective and Settlement Expansion
On the other hand, Israeli leaders, particularly Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, have repeatedly rejected the idea of a Palestinian state. Netanyahu told settlers in the West Bank recently:
“There will be no Palestinian state. This land is ours—our heritage, our security, our future.”
His far-right government has openly supported settlement growth and even flirted with plans for annexing up to 82% of the West Bank.
The number of settlers has now surpassed half a million, and more than 100 new outposts have appeared in the last two years alone. Many of these are illegal under both international and Israeli law, yet they still receive protection, infrastructure, and support from the state.
Human Impact on the Ground
For Palestinians living near these outposts, daily life is marked by harassment and fear. Ayman Soufan, who lives near Nablus, described how settlers erected a new outpost overlooking his home. Every day, settlers shout at his family to leave, sometimes throwing garbage or setting fires.
“My father died of a heart attack during one of these attacks,” Ayman said. “Since then, our house has been burned several times. The settlers act as police, judge, and army all at once. Who is left to protect us?”
Despite such violence, Ayman vows never to abandon his home. “If I ever leave,” he said, “it will be when I am carried out dead. Every corner of this house carries a memory. How can I abandon that?”
The Bigger Picture
The Oslo Accords, once seen as the foundation for a two-state solution, have eroded as Israeli control has expanded and the Palestinian Authority’s influence has shrunk. Meanwhile, armed Palestinian groups have grown stronger, further complicating prospects for peace.
The UK, France, and other countries argue that recognition of Palestine is necessary to keep the two-state solution alive. Yet on the ground, Israel is creating “facts” that threaten to make a Palestinian state nearly impossible.
As one grieving father, Abdel Aziz, put it:
“Palestine was never theirs, and it will never be theirs. One day, sooner or later, they will leave this land. And Palestine will be free.”
Conclusion
The clash between international recognition and Israeli expansion illustrates the deep divide between diplomacy and reality on the ground. For Palestinians, recognition offers hope and dignity. For Israel’s current leadership, expansion secures power and control.
The question remains: will recognition eventually turn into real statehood, or will Israel’s actions make the dream of a Palestinian state fade away?
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