The appearance of action

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There have been suggestions in the past that Scotland could overcome the Labour-Tory Westminster blockage of a new referendum on independence if an election resulted in a majority for independence in the Scottish Parliament and that parliament then declared Scotland to be an independent country. There is no legal requirement for a referendum before independence; many of the UK’s former colonies never bothered with such niceties. Some fought for their independence, others negotiated for it, some (perhaps most notably the USA) simply declared themselves independent. But one of the most important tests of whether a country can become independent without the consent of the state currently in control is the question of international recognition. A declaration of independence which no other state recognised could turn out to be pretty meaningless, leaving the administration unable to trade effectively or make any other sort of international agreements, which is a major reason for the SNP having avoided trying it to date.

Sir Starmer is right to understand the importance of international recognition in the process of establishing a Palestinian state, and were the other essentials of statehood in place, it would be a powerful step to take. The problem is that they are not – and Israel is in the process of making sure that their absence is as irrevocable as possible. Between clearing large parts of Gaza of its population, and encouraging settlers to force Palestinians from their land in the West Bank, there are no longer any clear boundaries for a Palestinian State. There may be internationally agreed lines on a map, but they are largely meaningless. Nor is there much by way of a functioning administration, which could be recognised as the ‘government’ of the new state, in large parts of the territory.

Recognition is symbolic, but of little real effect compared to the other steps that the UK could take in terms of sanctions and cessation of military exports. And delayed recognition is even less effective – merely giving the Israeli government a clear timeline in which it needs to complete the elimination of any viable Palestinian state. But then, symbolism is probably all Sir Starmer really wants: the appearance of action without making any real difference. In fact, that phrase (“the appearance of action without making any real difference”) could well come to be the defining characteristic of Starmer’s Labour. And not just in relation to Palestine.