The Future of Palestinian Statehood: A Leadership Dilemma

Tue Oct 21 2025 00:03:36 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

As countries like the UK recognize Palestinian statehood, questions arise about who will lead this potential new entity amidst ongoing conflict and division.

Following recent announcements from countries like the UK, Canada, and others regarding the recognition of Palestinian statehood, the focus shifts toward significant challenges: leadership and coherence. With the existing Palestinian Authority's credibility waning, the disjointed state of governance between Gaza and the West Bank complicates the prospects for a united front. Amidst this, the aging leadership under Mahmoud Abbas fails to inspire optimism, especially as potential leaders like Marwan Barghouti remain imprisoned. The international community's recognition of statehood brings both hope and skepticism about meaningful change.

Earlier this month, a Palestinian diplomat, called Husam Zomlot, was invited to a discussion at the Chatham House think tank in London.

Belgium had just joined the UK, France and other countries in promising to recognise a Palestinian state at the United Nations in New York. Dr Zomlot, Head of the Palestinian Mission to the UK, was clear that this was a significant moment.

Weeks on, that has now come to pass. The UK, Canada, and Australia, who are all traditionally strong allies of Israel, have now taken this step.

Sir Keir Starmer announced the UK's move in a video posted on social media. In it he said: In the face of the growing horror in the Middle East, we are acting to keep alive the possibility of peace and of a two-state solution.

More than 150 countries had previously recognised a Palestinian state but the addition of the UK and the other countries is seen as a significant moment.

However, important questions remain unanswered, particularly who will lead a potential Palestinian state. As Palestinians grapple with a fragmented political landscape, the urgency for new leadership is becoming clear.

Four criteria for statehood outlined in the 1933 Montevideo Convention classify the situation: Palestine can establish a claim of permanent population and capacity for international relations, but it struggles with the lack of defined territory and a functioning government.

The ongoing consequences of internal discord and decades of conflict further complicate the prospect of establishing coherent governance that can effectively lead a Palestinian state.

The recognition by various countries is laden with both hope and skepticism. As the question of leadership looms large, many advocate for more substantive efforts to ensure peace rather than mere formalities of state recognition.