Honduras Breaks Tradition, Will Recognize Palestine

President Lobo has given us a huge surprise by stating that Honduras will support Palestine's efforts to achieve recognition as member of the United Nations at the organization's next General Assembly meeting.

By Billy Peña
Many of us may be overlooking the full significance of President Porfirio Lobo's decision to extend diplomatic recognition to Palestine, whose people have always dreamt of being accepted as a free and independent nation. If the existence of Israel can be guaranteed, then Palestine should be treated equally. If this had been the case, we would have avoided a great deal of instability in the Middle East, terrorism around the world, and a long series of uprisings and wars involving the Israelis and Palestinians. The position of the United States government -- one of the architects of the State of Israel -- was never a just one. The US never gave much consideration to the fate of the Palestinian people, leaving them to wander in the desert.

Since Honduras has always fallen within the political orbit of the US, it has been natural that we would be on the side of Israel and against the Palestinians. However, President Lobo has given us a huge surprise by stating that Honduras will support Palestine's efforts to achieve recognition as a member of the United Nations at the organization's next General Assembly meeting. I was speechless when I heard the news, which I think is favorable not only to Palestine, but also to Honduras.

Finally, we are breaking with anachronistic shackles. Honduras has long been like a little chick following its mother hen -- the US. It appears, though, that the times are quickly changing. The Honduran position will be made official when the General Assembly convenes in New York in September. The US government will no doubt be bowled over not only by Honduras' major reversal of foreign policy, but also because the country has aligned itself with the stance adopted by the United Nations of South America (Unasur).

Of course, Honduras' position clashes with that of Israel, who has been the darling of the US. But we see that President Lobo is indeed his own man, and he wishes to have relations with all nations, setting aside the leftist and right-wing blocks that remain mired in the 1950s and 1960s. Let's not forget that the year is 2011, and everything must change.

The Israelis will never truly be assured of their peaceful existence so long as they refuse to help ensure the existence of an independent Palestine. The Palestinians have every bit as much right as the Israelis... and that is how the President of Honduras now sees it. (7/30/11)

Note: The author is a veteran independent journalist in Honduras. He has written for El Tiempo newspaper for the past two decades and is a former television commentator and professor of history. His column reflects his own views and not necessarily those of Honduras Weekly.