Mexico recognises Palestine as sovereign state

MEXICO CITY: The President of Mexico, Claudia Sheinbaum, formally recognised Palestine as a sovereign state by accepting the credentials of Palestinian Ambassador, Nadya Rasheed, during a ceremony at the National Palace.

The event signifies a landmark diplomatic development as the North American country recognises Palestine as a sovereign state.

Sheinbaum, the first Jewish and female leader of Mexico, has consistently advocated for Palestinian rights. In her address, she denounced the violence and genocide faced by Palestinians in the face of Israel atrocities.

The Mexican president reaffirmed Mexico’s enduring stance on the necessity of a two-state resolution, envisioning an independent Palestinian state alongside Israel.

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“We denounce the aggression being faced, and we also believe that the Palestinian state must be recognised in its entirety, just as the state of Israel is acknowledged”, Sheinbaum remarked.

The recognition follows a shift in Mexico’s foreign policy initiated by former President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, who elevated the Palestinian mission in Mexico to embassy status in June 2023.

The recognition comes at the heels of escalating Israel atrocities and violence against defenceless Gazans, with as many as 400 Palestinians brutally murdered by relentless Israeli bombardment.

Mexico also joined South Africa’s case at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), which has denounced Israel for committing genocide against Palestinians under the United Nations’ 1948 Genocide Convention. The legal action positions Mexico among a growing number of nations contesting Israel’s military operations in Gaza.

Ambassador Rasheed expressed her appreciation for Mexico’s recognition, describing it as a courageous stance amid ongoing global tensions. The ceremony was marked by a symbolic photograph of Sheinbaum and Rasheed.