Israel's Critics Miss the Mark on Palestinian Statehood

Strategic Insights -

Amidst a flurry of diplomatic developments, with France, Canada, Australia, and potentially Britain set to recognize a Palestinian state at the United Nations General Assembly, little will be achieved to help actual Palestinians. The likes of Mark Ruffalo and Cynthia Nixon, who have signed a public letter boycotting Israeli film institutions, will only harm the Israeli arts sector, which is not aligned with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government. This futile exercise in moral posturing comes as Spain imposes an arms embargo on Israel, despite being a major customer of Israeli military equipment, buying over one billion euros' worth between October 2023 and April. The true effect of these actions will be to exacerbate Western antisemitism and reinforce Israel's skepticism of world intentions.

Key Takeaways:

  • Recognizing a Palestinian state at the UN will not bring one into being and may even provide a diplomatic victory for Hamas.
  • Boycotting Israeli film institutions will harm the sector least in sympathy with the Israeli government, while ignoring other countries with similar policies.
  • The Spanish government's arms embargo on Israel has limited impact, given its history of buying Israeli military equipment worth over one billion euros.
  • The actions of Western countries like France and Canada inflict genuine harm on their Jewish citizens by perpetuating a climate of anti-Jewish demonization.
  • A flotilla attempting to breach the Israeli naval blockade, led by Greta Thunberg, will likely meet the same fate as its predecessor, achieving little more than publicity for the activist.
  • The recognition of a Palestinian state does not address the true needs of the Palestinian people, including an end to war, misgovernance, and the establishment of a self-governing political order.

Statistics:

  • Over one billion euros' worth of Israeli military equipment was purchased by Spain between October 2023 and April.
  • 1,800 film industry professionals, including Mark Ruffalo and Cynthia Nixon, have signed a public letter boycotting Israeli film institutions.
  • The number of Palestinians living in Gaza who may benefit from the flotilla's attempts to breach the naval blockade is negligible.
  • The date of Spain's announcement of the arms embargo on Israel: This month.
  • The amount of time since October 7, 2023, has passed: Several months.

Sources:

  • Spain announced an arms embargo on Israel.
  • Mark Ruffalo and Cynthia Nixon signed a public letter boycotting Israeli film institutions.
  • Greta Thunberg will attempt to breach the Israeli naval blockade with a flotilla of small ships.
  • France's recognition of a Palestinian state will do little to bring one into being.