Fact Check: "Palestine is free"
What We Know
The claim that "Palestine is free" is a contentious statement that requires examination of the current political and territorial status of Palestine. The Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) declared the establishment of the State of Palestine on November 15, 1988, and as of February 2025, it is recognized as a sovereign state by 147 of the 193 member states of the United Nations, which is over 75% of all UN members (Legal status of Palestine - Wikipedia. However, this recognition does not equate to full sovereignty or freedom.
The PLO is recognized as the official representative of the Palestinian people and has been granted non-member observer state status at the UN since November 2012 (International recognition of Palestine). Despite this status, the territories claimed by the State of Palestine, primarily the West Bank and Gaza Strip, remain under varying degrees of Israeli control, which significantly limits the autonomy and governance of the Palestinian Authority.
Analysis
The assertion that "Palestine is free" overlooks the complexities of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the ongoing occupation of Palestinian territories. The West Bank is subject to Israeli military control, and Gaza is governed by Hamas, which has been involved in conflicts with Israel. The situation is further complicated by the lack of a unified Palestinian government and ongoing internal divisions between factions such as Fatah and Hamas (Palestine Liberation Organization - Wikipedia).
While the PLO has made strides in gaining international recognition, the reality on the ground reflects a lack of true sovereignty. The United States and several other nations do not recognize Palestine as a fully sovereign state, which impacts its ability to engage in international relations and governance (Is Palestine considered a state?). The ongoing Israeli settlements in the West Bank and military presence further hinder the establishment of a fully independent Palestinian state.
The claim of freedom is also contradicted by the fact that the Palestinian territories are often described as being under occupation, which is recognized by various international bodies and legal scholars (History of the Question of Palestine). The complexities of international law and the political landscape contribute to the ongoing debate about the status of Palestine.
Conclusion
The claim that "Palestine is free" is False. While there is a recognized entity known as the State of Palestine, the reality is that it does not enjoy full sovereignty or independence due to the ongoing Israeli occupation and the internal political divisions among Palestinian factions. The situation remains complex and fraught with conflict, making the assertion of freedom misleading.
Sources
- Palestine Liberation Organization - Wikipedia
- [Legal status of Palestine - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Legal_status_of_Palestine#:~:text=The%20Palestine%20Liberation%20Organization%20(PLO,75%25%20of%20all%20UN%20members.)
- International recognition of Palestine
- History of the Question of Palestine
- Is Palestine considered a state?
- Which countries recognise Palestine in 2024?
- Mapping which countries recognise Palestine in 2024
- At Emergency Special Session, General Assembly ...
