Some practical implications of the recognition of the State of Palestine

For a territory to become a state, it must meet certain criteria, established in an international treaty in 1933, such as having a permanent population, defined territorial boundaries, an effective government, and an organization that guarantees fundamental rights and the separation of powers. Palestine has a permanent population and a body that administers part of the West Bank and represents the Palestinians—the Palestinian National Authority—but it does not, for example, have internationally agreed-upon borders.

Tiago André Lopes, professor of International Relations at Lusíada University of Porto, emphasizes to Euronews, however, that the criteria for establishing a State are one thing, and the process of recognizing that State is another.

"There are states recognized for their political, diplomatic, and legal implications, but which have neither borders nor a clear government. It's often unclear whether they are viable and sustainable. These are two distinct dimensions," he explains.

"Recognition is one of the sovereign powers of states, and it is a unilateral power. Any state in the world can recognize or derecognize any state in the world. In the case of Palestine, the territory exists. UN Security Council Resolution 242 of 1967 is very clear regarding the territory that will comprise the State of Palestine. Therefore, the territory exists; it is, at this moment, under occupation," adds the expert.

While it's clear that recognizing the State of Palestine is more symbolic than practical, there are some implications here. One of them concerns visa issuance. While Portugal previously had to issue a visa to a Palestinian through Israel, it can now do so through the Palestinian Authority. Euronews recalls the case of a 23-year-old Palestinian who was prevented from starting his studies in Portugal because, to obtain a student visa, Tarek Al-Farra would have had to travel to Ramallah, in the West Bank. The problem: the young man is unable to leave the Gaza Strip.

There is also a considerable practical effect at the level of international law, emphasizes Tiago André Lopes: “From the moment we recognize Palestine, based on Resolution 242, the territory of Palestine is considered territory under occupation and things as simple as if Israel tries to claim, in violent actions in territory that is not its own, the right, for example, to self-defense, it is easier for Portugal to say that this right does not apply.”