“Why recognize Palestinian statehood now? Israelis, not to speak of official Israel, are perplexed, disappointed and angry in the face of the current surge of countries rushing to recognize the Palestinian state. Approximately ten countries have now joined a list of over 140 countries that had previously recognized Palestine. But what makes this new list remarkable is that it now includes many of Israel’s key allies in the Western world, including the UK and France, two permanent members of the Security Council. Beyond the general question of why undermine the principle that a Palestinian State should emerge as a result of negotiations that places demands on both sides, why do so now? What has changed to inspire and activate this movement of unliteral recognition?”

Read Donniel Hartman’s complete op-ed in Times of Israel