Public opinion has evolved beyond fleeting trends and positions on various issues, turning into a compelling force that is shaping public policies and decision-making, both at the local and international level. In the context of the growing European recognition of the state of Palestine, Western public opinion has played a pivotal role in creating decisive pressure on British and French leaderships, forcing these governments to reassess their positions on Israel’s war on Gaza and shifting tangibly to support a two-state solution.
However, these shifts are not isolated from Saudi Arabia’s proactive diplomatic strategy. It has employed diverse forms of modern diplomacy — from holding summits to crisis management and international organizations — to cementing and restoring the legitimacy of international recognition of the Palestinian right to establish an independent state. Hence, the convergence of Western public opinion and Saudi diplomacy is a turning point in the Palestinian cause, elevating its global standing as a moral and legal issue that transcends political considerations.
The UK’s recognition of Palestinian statehood stems primarily from domestic political and partisan pressures. According to observers, the imagery of the destruction in Gaza has fundamentally altered the public mood, compelling the British prime minister to adopt a decisive position on the issue. This decision was also in response to pressure from the Labor Party’s left-wing, which has demonstrated solidarity with the Palestinian cause, galvanized by the scenes of destruction in Gaza. British public opinion, as a collective public conscience, exerted significant pressure that prompted the political leadership to adopt a stance that, while ostensibly moral, is actually political in nature to maintain its leadership position within the party and the political arena. The power of public pressure stems from its qualitative composition with clarion calls from influential groups and intellectual currents dedicated to halting the ongoing onslaught against besieged Palestinians. This public mobilization has significantly impacted government policy in countries where the views of the electorate cannot be wholly ignored.
France’s position on the Palestinian issue has followed a complex course, marked by significant shifts in its political discourse toward the conflict. Following the outbreak of the Gaza war, President Emmanuel Macron adopted a strongly pro-Israel stance, even calling for an international coalition against Hamas similar to the international coalition against ISIS. However, this position proved unsustainable, as the French government faced mounting domestic criticism, most notably from opposition figures and lawmakers, who accused Macron of abandoning France’s historical role as a mediator. This led to renewed public pressure, manifested through large-scale demonstrations in support of Palestine despite strict security restrictions. These developments ultimately influenced the political leadership to correct its course and recognize Palestinian statehood to restore political balance and moral legitimacy.
These transformations were by no means coincidental. In Western Europe, where political systems derive their legitimacy from the electoral process, public opinion is essential to governmental survival and legitimacy. Politicians, because of the nature of the democratic system, cannot disregard voter trends without risking their seats and re-election prospects. Therefore, public opinion acts as a guiding force not only for domestic policy, but also foreign policy, including the recognition of the state of Palestine.
Riyadh believes that securing Western public opinion is no longer a diplomatic formality, but an essential condition for the success of any Arab initiative, and that public opinion does not evolve in a vacuum. Thus, Saudi Arabia deployed its soft power tools, media influence and diplomatic skill to leverage the increasing shift of Western governments toward the Palestinian cause. Since the launch of the Arab Peace Initiative in 2002 by the late King Abdullah, the kingdom has placed the Palestinian cause at the core of its regional and international agenda. With the recent escalation in Gaza, Saudi Arabia revitalized its role through the Global Alliance for the Implementation of a Two-state Solution, launched in partnership with Norway in 2024. Through international conferences and joint statements, Riyadh has worked to establish an international bloc supporting the recognition of Palestinian statehood. This effort culminated in the New York Declaration signed jointly by Arab and European countries, a development that evoked the spirit of the 2002 initiative.
Saudi Arabia has skillfully used modern diplomatic tools. In summit diplomacy, it has invested its political and religious stature to hold direct meetings with world leaders. It realizes that the presence of the leaders themselves accelerates meaningful decision-making. Through crisis diplomacy, it has dealt with the Gaza war as a critical test for the international community, working to de-escalate tensions and prevent broader regional conflicts. Simultaneously, it has worked tirelessly to reinstate the Palestinian cause on the international agenda. Saudi Arabia has played a pivotal role in the corridors of the UN and the Security Council to advance resolutions that affirm the Palestinian right to self-determination and reframe the conflict as a cause of justice rather than a border dispute.
This course of Saudi diplomatic efforts intersects with shifts in Western and international public opinion, which now views the Palestinian issue as a humanitarian justice issue, similar, in public consciousness, to the struggle against apartheid in South Africa. Despite attempts by major media outlets to distort public opinion, individuals form their positions through what is termed as “selective perception.” This means that they choose information that is consistent with their beliefs while disregarding contrary narratives. This process has enabled them to break free from traditional media influence and cultivate an independent political consciousness that actively supports the Palestinian cause. Thus, selective perception has transformed into a tool for the masses to embrace their own narrative, thereby generating cumulative pressure on Western governments.
In conclusion, it can be said that the British and French recognition of Palestinian statehood is nothing but an outcome of the convergence of two trajectories: an internal one, driven by public pressure as Palestine is considered a moral and humanitarian cause; and an external one, represented by active Saudi diplomacy which has skillfully capitalized on the moment of crisis and a shift in international opinion in favor of the Palestinians. This convergence between European domestic considerations and Saudi efforts places the Palestinian cause on the threshold of a new stage, where recognition is no longer a mere political decision, but a question of legitimacy stemming from a global consensus between peoples and governments. Hence, the future depends on the ability of these efforts to continue and expand, thereby making the establishment of a Palestinian state an inevitable political reality, bolstered by the strength of international public opinion and Saudi diplomacy.
Opinions in this article reflect the writer’s point of view, not necessarily the view of Rasanah
