Last Friday, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov held a press conference with Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi. During the conference, he said a very important statement that we should pause to reflect on, understand, and comprehend, lest we, as Arabs, be deceived for the millionth time by the phenomenon of Western hypocrisy, which has become increasingly prevalent.

Lavrov said: When Europe finally decides to recognize the Palestinian state within two months, there will be nothing left worth recognizing, because Israel will have occupied it completely!!

I find Lavrov's words very logical, practical, and revealing. But does this mean we should tell the West: Continue as you are and do not recognize the Palestinian state?

Certainly not. The recent European moves and the recognition of Palestine as an independent state by some countries are very positive and should be welcomed. However, it is important to understand this move in its proper context and to demand that the Europeans develop their position to become practical, rather than merely a formal recognition that leads nowhere and may even contribute, intentionally or unintentionally, to the actual Israeli plan of eliminating any possibility of establishing a Palestinian state in the future.

There is certainly a global popular awakening, particularly in Europe, regarding a correct understanding of the seriousness of the Israeli aggression against Palestine and the region, beginning October 7, 2023. Some Western governments, such as Spain, Ireland, and Norway, have taken courageous positions, while others, such as France, have decided to recognize Israel in the coming weeks.

We should welcome all these moves, but as Lavrov said, what is the value of what Europe is doing if it does not lead to results on the ground?!

Therefore, if Europe, especially its major powers such as Britain, France, Germany, and Italy, believes that Israel is an aggressor and will annex the West Bank after destroying Gaza and southern Lebanon, bombing Iran, and continuing its aggression against Syria, then what is required is not only recognition of the Palestinian state, but also an end to cooperation with Israel.

What is the value of any European country announcing its recognition of the Palestinian state while Israel practically eliminates any qualifications and foundations for this state on the ground?!

Any country that declares it will recognize the Palestinian state but at the same time continues to supply Israel with all types of weapons, imports from it, and deals with it commercially, especially with settlement goods and products, is hypocritical, as Lavrov said.

It's good that some European leaders have come out to condemn Israel's actions in the West Bank and Gaza, but only if they are not merely verbal statements meant to raise eyebrows, while continuing to provide Israel with everything it needs to continue its aggression.

A few days ago, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz announced that arms exports to Israel would be halted if it was proven that they would be used inside Gaza.

This is a significant development in the German position, which has been completely aligned with the Israeli aggression since its inception. However, the question is: How will Germany accurately know that Israel will not use its weapons in Gaza? And could it use them in the West Bank, southern Lebanon, or against Iran?

Unfortunately, most official European positions are extremely opportunistic and hypocritical, despite being a fundamental cause of the occupation of Palestine, particularly the British role since the Balfour Declaration in 1917. They also support Israel against Iran, which is prohibited from possessing nuclear energy for peaceful uses.

But again, what we want from the Europeans is for words to be matched with actions. We don't want statements and condemnations, but rather decisions that hurt Israel and make it realize that there is a heavy price it will pay if it continues to destroy Gaza, Judaize the West Bank, and bully the rest of the region, and even talk about a greater map of Israel.

One might ask: If you're demanding that European countries be practical in this regard, wouldn't it be more effective to first demand that the sister Arab countries of Palestine do the same? This is a logical question, but unfortunately, I don't have a logical answer to it.