A Political Opportunity Structure Analysis for the Recognition of Palestinian Statehood by European Countries

  • Hasbi Aswar Islamic University of Indonesia
  • Rizki Dian Nursita Islamic University of Indonesia
  • Emil Hikmawan Islamic University of Indonesia
  • Zahara Aini Fijria Azzuhro Islamic University of Indonesia

Abstract

This study elaborates the impact of the recognition of Palestinian statehood by several European countries for the development of pro-Palestinian movements in the region. This study uses political opportunity structure in social movement studies as the theoretical framework to highlight how formal political support from European states creates a greater space for pro-Palestinian movements to mobilize within Europe. A media-based qualitative method is used to collect the data by tracing news coverage, discourse, and public opinion across major online media platforms in Europe. The study finds that the increased recognition of Palestine among European countries enhances the legitimacy of pro-Palestinian movements and creates opportunities for the changing narratives that are more objective and sympathetic toward the Palestinian issue. This is significant given that dominant narratives in Europe have long favored Israel. Hence, the political recognition of Palestine by European states contributes to the reconfiguration of public discourse while simultaneously strengthening the political position of pro-Palestinian movements within Europe's political and social arenas.


Author Biographies

Rizki Dian Nursita, Islamic University of Indonesia

 

Emil Hikmawan, Islamic University of Indonesia

 

Zahara Aini Fijria Azzuhro, Islamic University of Indonesia

 

References

Al-Jazeera. (2025). Portugal to recognise a Palestinian state. https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/9/20/portugal-to-recognise-a-palestinian-state#:~:text=“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs,be buried under the rubble.
Ali, M. (2025, September 23). Which are the 150+ countries that have recognised Palestine as of 2025? Al Jazeera. https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/9/23/which-are-the-150-countries-that-have-recognised-palestine-as-of-2025
Cafiero, G. (2024, May 28). Slovenia’s ‘moral duty’: What’s behind its push to recognise Palestine? Al Jazeera. https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/5/28/slovenias-moral-duty-whats-behind-the-push-to-recognise-palestine

CNN Indonesia. (2025). Tens of Thousands of Belgians Demonstrate in Support of Palestine, Urge Israeli Sanctions. https://www.cnnindonesia.com/internasional/20250907220621-134-1270980/puluhan-ribu-warga-belgia-demo-dukung-palestina-desak-sanksi-israel
Couvelaire, L. (2025, June 15). At Paris protest in support of Gaza, anger and fear run high. https://www.lemonde.fr/en/france/article/2025/06/15/at-paris-protest-in-support-of-gaza-anger-and-fear-run-high_6742365_7.html
Erstrynge, L. (2025, April 1). Why Spain stands with Palestine. Le Monde Diplomatique. https://mondediplo.com/2025/04/14spain-palestine
Euronews with AP. (2024, April 6). Slovenia becomes latest EU country to recognise Palestinian state. Euronews. http://www.euronews.com/my-europe/2024/06/04/slovenia-becomes-latest-european-country-to-recognise-palestinian-state-after-parliamentar
Euro News. (2025). Belgium to recognise Palestine at the UN General Assembly. https://www.euronews.com/my-europe/2025/09/02/belgium-to-recognise-palestinian-state-at-the-un-general-assembly
Everett, M. (2023, November 17). As Israel bombs Gaza, Ireland’s enduring support of Palestine gets stronger. Al Jazeera. https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/11/17/as-israel-bombs-gaza-irelands-enduring-support-of-palestine-gets-stronger
Hess, A. (2025, September 30). Why is Palestine so important in Ireland? Euronews. http://www.euronews.com/my-europe/2025/09/30/why-is-palestine-so-important-in-ireland
Compass. (2025). Malta Declares to Recognize Palestinian State in September 2025. https://www.kompas.com/tren/read/2025/08/02/160000065/malta-deklarasikan-bakal-mengakui-negara-palestina-pada-september-2025
Metro Television News. (2025). Malta will recognize Palestinian independence today at the UN Assembly. https://www.metrotvnews.com/read/NLMCJM7x-malta-bakal-akui-kemerdekaan-palestina-hari-ini-di-sidang-pbb#:~:text=Valletta: Malta will officially, its Facebook account%2C September 22, 2025.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs. (2024, May 29). Minister Albares reaffirms humanitarian and political commitment to NGDOs in Palestine. https://www.exteriores.gob.es/en/Comunicacion/Noticias/Paginas/Noticias/20240529_MINISTERIO06.aspx
Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs. (2024, February 23). At ICJ, Slovenia stresses the right of Palestinians to self-determination | GOV.SI. Portal GOV.SI. https://www.gov.si/en/news/2024-02-23-at-icj-slovenia-stresses-the-right-of-palestinians-to-self-determination/
Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs. (2025, September 2). Slovenia increases support for UNRWA | GOV.SI. Portal GOV.SI. https://www.gov.si/en/news/2025-09-02-slovenia-increases-support-for-unrwa/
Nia, O. T. (2025, October 8). Survey says most Germans back recognition of Palestine. https://www.aa.com.tr/en/europe/survey-says-most-germans-back-recognition-of-palestine/3655581
Quds News Network. (2025, June 4). Public Support for Israel in Western Europe Hits Record Low Amid Gaza Genocide: YouGov. Countercurrents. https://countercurrents.org/2025/06/public-support-for-israel-in-western-europe-hits-record-low-amid-gaza-genocide-yougov/
Reuters. (2025, July 25). Why is France recognising Palestinian statehood and who else has? Reuters. https://www.reuters.com/world/why-is-france-recognising-palestinian-statehood-who-else-has-2024-05-23/
Reuters. (2025). Belgium to recognise Palestinian state at UN General Assembly. https://www.reuters.com/en/belgium-recognise-palestinian-state-un-general-assembly-2025-09-02/
RTL. (2025). Protest in the capital over Gaza crisis. https://today.rtl.lu/news/luxembourg/a/2340718.html
The Independent. (2025). Malta officially recognises the State of Palestine. https://www.independent.com.mt/articles/2025-09-22/local/Malta-officially-recognises-the-State-of-Palestine-6736273350
The Luxembourg Government. (2025). Luxembourg formally recognises the State of Palestine. https://gouvernement.lu/en/actualites/toutes_actualites/communiques/2025/09-septembre/22-frieden-ny-palestine.html
The New York Times. (2025). Britain, Australia, Canada and Portugal Recognize a Palestinian State. https://www.nytimes.com/2025/09/21/world/europe/starmer-uk-recognize-palestinian-state.html
Time. (2025). Belgium to Recognize Palestinian State at U.N. General Assembly and Sanction Israel. https://time.com/7313858/belgium-to-recognize-palestinian-state-sanction-israel-response/
Vrt News. (2025). Belgium to recognise Palestine in due course. https://www.vrt.be/vrtnws/en/2025/09/02/belgium-to-recognise-palestine-in-due-course/
Xinhua. (2025). Thousands rally in Lisbon in support of Gaza and detained Portuguese citizens. http://www.china.org.cn/world/Off_the_Wire/2025-10/05/content_118110620.shtml
Badarin, E. (2019). States Recognition in Foreign Policy: The Case of Sweden’s Recognition of Palestine. Foreign Policy Analysis, 15(4), 498–517.
Iriqat, D. (2024). Paradiplomacy for Non-recognized States: Case of Palestine. International Relations and Diplomacy, 12(1), 34–39.
Kyris, G. (2024). The Recognition of a Right to Statehood and Palestine. Ethnopolitics. Advance online publication. DOI: 10.1080/17449057.2024.2362510
Martins, B. O. (2015). “A Sense of Urgency”: The EU, EU Member States and the Recognition of the Palestinian State. Mediterranean Politics, 20(2), 281–287.
Rezazadeh, H., & Ranjbarian, A. (2019). Shenasaei Jam’ei Felestin; Ozviyat dar Sazman-e Melal-e Motahed [Collective Recognition of Palestine: Membership in the United Nations]. Faslname-ye Motale’at Hoquq-e ‘Omumi (Journal of Public Law Studies), 49(1), 77–95. (in Persian)
Stokes, D. (2019). Political Opportunities and the Quest for Political Recognition in Tibet, Taiwan, and Palestine. International Review of Sociology, 29(1), 102–124.
WAFA Agency. (2025, October 14). Ireland announces additional €6 million in humanitarian aid for Gaza. WAFA Agency. http://wafa.ps/Pages/Details/163374
Published
2026-04-30
How to Cite
ASWAR, Hasbi et al. A Political Opportunity Structure Analysis for the Recognition of Palestinian Statehood by European Countries. Insignia: Journal of International Relations, [S.l.], v. 13, n. 1, p. 21-36, apr. 2026. ISSN 2597-9868. Available at: <https://jos.unsoed.ac.id/index.php/insignia/article/view/19098>. Date accessed: 06 may 2026. doi: https://doi.org/10.20884/1.ins.2026.13.1.19098.
Section
Articles

Most read articles by the same author(s)

Obs.: This plugin requires at least one statistics/report plugin to be enabled. If your statistics plugins provide more than one metric then please also select a main metric on the admin's site settings page and/or on the journal manager's settings pages.