Part 8/11:
Legal experts, including prominent British lawyers, have raised significant concerns about the legitimacy of Palestine’s push for statehood. According to the Montevideo Convention (1933), a recognized state must possess a permanent population, a defined territory, a government capable of diplomatic relations, and the capacity to enter into relations with other states.
Critics argue Palestine falls short of these criteria: it currently lacks a clear, recognized government, definitive borders, and the capacity for diplomatic engagement. The governance of Gaza by Hamas—a designated terrorist organization in many countries—further complicates recognition efforts. These legal uncertainties raise questions about whether Palestine even qualifies as a sovereign state under international law.