Fact Check: Palestine is a country

Fact Check: "Palestine is a country"

What We Know

The claim that "Palestine is a country" is complex and hinges on various factors including international recognition and legal definitions of statehood. As of March 2025, the State of Palestine is recognized as a sovereign state by 147 of the 193 member states of the United Nations, which accounts for just over 75% of all UN members (Wikipedia). It has held non-member observer state status in the United Nations since November 2012, a status that allows it to participate in General Assembly debates but does not grant full membership rights (National Security and Armed Conflict Law).

The Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO) declared the State of Palestine on November 15, 1988, claiming sovereignty over the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, and the Gaza Strip (Wikipedia). However, the recognition of Palestine as a state has been contentious, particularly due to the opposition from the United States and some other countries, which argue that full recognition should be contingent upon negotiations with Israel (Wikipedia, National Security and Armed Conflict Law).

Analysis

The assertion that Palestine is a country can be considered "Partially True." On one hand, a significant number of countries recognize Palestine as a sovereign state, and it has established some governmental functions through the Palestinian Authority, which administers parts of the West Bank and Gaza Strip (Wikipedia). However, the criteria for statehood under international law, as outlined in the Montevideo Convention, include having a permanent population, defined territory, a government, and the capacity to enter into relations with other states (National Security and Armed Conflict Law). Critics argue that Palestine does not fully meet these criteria due to ongoing territorial disputes and lack of control over its borders.

Furthermore, while Palestine has been granted non-member observer status in the UN, this does not equate to full statehood as recognized by international law. The UN itself does not have the authority to define what constitutes a state; rather, this is determined by the recognition of other states (National Security and Armed Conflict Law). The Palestinian Authority's limited control over its claimed territories complicates the situation further, as it does not exert full sovereignty over the areas it governs (Wikipedia, Legal Status of Palestine).

The debate over Palestine's status is also influenced by geopolitical factors, including the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the differing positions of various nations regarding the legitimacy of Palestinian statehood. For instance, while many countries in the Global South and some G20 nations recognize Palestine, key Western nations, including the United States and several European countries, do not (Wikipedia).

Conclusion

The claim that "Palestine is a country" is Partially True. While Palestine has received recognition from a majority of UN member states and has established some governmental structures, it does not fully meet the legal criteria for statehood as defined by international law. The ongoing conflict and lack of control over its territory further complicate its status. Therefore, while it is recognized as a state by many, significant legal and political hurdles remain.

Fact Check: Palestine is a country