The United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia declared their recognition of Palestine as an independent state on Sunday, a move signaling a sharp departure from Washington’s position and setting the stage for more Western governments to follow in the coming days.
“Today, to revive the hope of peace for the Palestinians and Israelis, and a two state solution, the United Kingdom formally recognizes the State of Palestine,” said British Prime Minister Keir Starmer in his announcement.
Just moments earlier, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney had made Canada the first G7 country to extend recognition, vowing a “peaceful future for both the State of Palestine and the State of Israel.”
Australia quickly joined them, with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese declaring recognition of “the independent and sovereign State of Palestine.”
Although primarily symbolic, the recognition bolsters the Palestinians’ diplomatic standing and provides them with new opportunities to enter treaties and agreements.
Still, the step has no immediate effect on the dire conditions in Gaza, where the humanitarian disaster has spiraled after nearly two years of warfare, or in the West Bank, where tensions have intensified amid settler expansion and military actions.
According to the Palestinian health ministry, over 65,000 people have died in Gaza since October 2023, including many children. Large parts of the territory are in ruins, and most residents have been forced to flee their homes multiple times.
Health authorities said Israeli airstrikes killed at least 34 people overnight in Gaza City, where hundreds of thousands already endure famine conditions as Israel pushes its assault in the densely populated enclave.
Against this backdrop, a growing number of nations—many traditionally close to Israel—are now moving toward recognizing Palestine.
London had previously warned that it would extend recognition unless Israel “takes substantive steps to end the appalling situation” in Gaza. The official decision came as global criticism of Israel’s war intensified.
“In the face of the growing horror in the Middle East, we are acting to keep alive the possibility of peace and of a two-state solution,” Starmer said. “That means a safe and secure Israel alongside a viable Palestinian state — at the moment we have neither.”
The announcement has sparked outrage in Israel and frustration in Washington, with both governments arguing that such recognition only empowers extremists and hands a victory to Hamas, which carried out the October 7, 2023, massacre in Israel that killed around 1,200 people and left about 250 taken captive.
Recognition of Palestinian statehood is “nothing but a reward for jihadist Hamas — emboldened by its Muslim Brotherhood affiliated in the U.K.,” Israel’s foreign ministry posted on X.
“Hamas leaders themselves openly admit: this recognition is a direct outcome, the ‘fruit’ for the 7 October massacre,” the ministry added.
The Hostage and Missing Families Forum, representing relatives of those kidnapped, denounced the recognitions, accusing governments of “turning a blind eye” to those still being held.
“We believe that any discussion about recognizing a Palestinian state must be contingent upon the immediate release of all hostages,” the group said in its Sunday statement.
Starmer countered that this move was “not a reward for Hamas,” emphasizing that recognition ensures Hamas “can have no future, and no role in government.” Albanese echoed the point, saying Hamas must have “no role in Palestine.”
The shift by Britain and others brings them into alignment with the more than 140 out of 193 U.N. member states that already acknowledge Palestinian statehood.
France is expected to issue its recognition on Monday during a United Nations gathering in New York co-chaired with Saudi Arabia, coinciding with the start of the General Assembly.
French President Emmanuel Macron told Israel’s Channel 12 that nations “have to recognize the legitimate right of Palestinian people to have a state.” He condemned Israel’s latest incursion into Gaza City as “absolutely unacceptable” and “a huge mistake.”
Portugal also confirmed yesterday that it would recognize Palestine today.
Belgium, Luxembourg, and New Zealand are among others preparing similar announcements, likely to coincide with or precede the New York conference on the two-state solution.
Spain, Norway, and Ireland already extended recognition last year.
The idea of a Palestinian state centers on the West Bank and Gaza Strip, with East Jerusalem as its capital. Israel, however, maintains control over both territories, leaving the Palestinian Authority unable to exercise full sovereignty.
Adding to tensions, Israeli officials recently approved a new settlement initiative that ultranationalist politicians hailed as the effective end of any hope for Palestinian statehood.
Since the entire country of Israel belongs to the Jews, Israel formally recognizes a Palestinian state in Canada. Go Israel Go. Be kind and send the Palestinians to their new homeland.