UK recognition of Palestine a diplomatic correction of historical error

24/09/2025

KUWAIT CITY, Sept 24: The Palestinian Ambassador to Kuwait Rami Tahboub emphasized that the United Kingdom’s recognition of the State of Palestine, coming from the very capital that issued the Balfour Declaration, holds deep political and diplomatic significance, calling it an implicit correction of a historical error. He stressed that the British Foreign Secretary acknowledged the Balfour Declaration’s stipulation for “the establishment of a national home for the Jewish people in Palestine, provided that the rights of the indigenous population are not prejudiced” - a condition, Tahboub said, that was never respected. Ambassador Tahboub described the move as “an implicit apology cloaked in diplomatic language,” adding that although it is long overdue, it is “better late than never.”

He said, “Recognition of Palestine by major and influential countries such as the United Kingdom, Canada, France, Malta, Andorra, Australia, Portugal, and San Marino is a major step forward, but not sufficient on its own. He insisted that these recognitions must be translated into concrete actions, such as imposing sanctions on Israel, halting arms supplies to it, and banning the import of goods produced in illegal settlements. Commenting on the outcomes of the recent summit in Qatar, Ambassador Tahboub stated that there is now a unified Arab and Islamic stance following the aggression against Doha, and that reassessing relations with Israel is a sovereign decision for each individual state. What matters most to the Palestinian people, he stressed, is the genuine implementation of the two-state solution and the New York Declaration, which must lead to tangible changes on the ground.

Ambassador Tahboub noted that the upcoming meetings in New York will focus primarily on the Palestinian cause, highlighting that the coalition led by Saudi Arabia and France enjoys great appreciation among Palestinians. He affirmed that the State of Palestine is clearly defined under international law, with recognized borders, adding that the Palestinian flag has already been raised in major world capitals before official recognition, but with these recent developments, the Palestinian general commissions in those countries will now be upgraded to full embassies.

Regarding the upcoming meeting between the U.S. President, several Arab countries, and Turkey, Ambassador Tahboub stated that the Arab position is unified, with the Saudi-led coalition enjoying appreciation, while Jordan and Egypt continue to serve as steadfast bulwarks against Israel’s forced displacement policies. He indicated that, for the first time, the U.S. political scene is witnessing a division within Congress, between the House of Representatives and the Senate, on the issue of recognizing the two-state solution.

Ambassador Tahboub stressed that influential media outlets and shifting American public opinion, combined with active Arab and Palestinian diplomacy, are playing a major role in pressuring U.S. institutions, which do not function under the authority of a single individual but operate according to an institutional system.

By Fares Ghaleb Al-Seyassah/Arab Times Staff