U.K. Holding Debate on Palestinian Statehood

For several decades Israel and Palestine have been the rival enemies of the Middle East shooting each other with missiles and rockets. A week ago, Israeli's and Palestinians from the Gaza Strip went into an unnerving armed conflict once again killing many on both sides of the "fence." This began after Hamas military leader, Ahmen Jabari, was assassinated in an Israeli airstrike when he was due to sign a peace treaty between Gaza and Israel. Palestinians believed this was an Israeli strategy to both delay peace between the rivals and the recognition as a sovereign state.

Today, the U.K. will be looking at holding a "debate" over whether they should support Palestine's aspiration to statehood thus increasing their chances in becoming a sovereign state recognized by the United Nations. The Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO) has collected letters of recognition as a state by over 100 international governments not including the United States, Israel, and the U.K.

The recent increase in interest between Israel and Palestine is because of the escalation of violence between the Gaza Strip and Israel. If and when Gaza or Palestine is recognized as a sovereign statehood then the other Palestinian "refuge" would be an extension of the statehood and hold the same international weight. This mean if Israel fires upon Palestine or the Gaza, Israel and the United States could face sanctions by the United Nations if they wish to pursue it.