UK, Australia, Canada, Portugal Recognize Palestinian State, Israel Objects/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ The U.K., Australia, and Canada formally recognized a Palestinian state, intensifying diplomatic tensions with Israel. The coordinated announcement reflects frustration with Israel’s war in Gaza and settlement expansion in the West Bank. Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rejected the move outright, warning it rewards Hamas and undermines peace.
Palestinian State Recognition + Quick Look
- U.K., Australia, and Canada officially recognized a Palestinian state Sunday.
- Move reflects growing anger over Israel’s conduct in Gaza.
- Israel rejected the decision, with Netanyahu warning “it will not happen.”
- Hamas hailed recognition as a “rightful outcome of struggle.”
- Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas called it a step toward peace.
- Portugal followed suit with recognition later in the day.
- France may recognize Palestine at the U.N. General Assembly this week.
- Israel considers annexing West Bank areas in response.
- Recognition seen as symbolic but historic, especially for the U.K. and France.
- Experts say without U.S. support, little changes on the ground.
UK, Australia, and Canada Recognize Palestinian State, Sparking Israeli Outrage
Growing Diplomatic Shift Amid Gaza War
The United Kingdom, Australia, and Canada formally recognized a Palestinian state on Sunday, marking a coordinated diplomatic shift that reflects mounting frustration over Israel’s handling of the war in Gaza and its continued settlement expansion in the West Bank.
The announcements, issued within hours of each other, signal a widening divide between Israel and some of its closest allies. They also underscore the growing belief among Western nations that a two-state solution is slipping out of reach unless urgent steps are taken to reaffirm Palestinian statehood.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, under pressure from within his Labour Party, said the move was meant to “revive the hope of peace” for both Palestinians and Israelis. “We recognized the state of Israel more than 75 years ago,” he said. “Today we join over 150 countries who recognize a Palestinian state also.”
Israel Rejects Move, Threatens Retaliation
The recognition immediately drew an angry rebuke from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who declared that a Palestinian state “will not happen.” He warned that the decisions amounted to handing a “prize” to Hamas, the militant group behind the deadly October 7, 2023 attacks, which killed about 1,200 people and saw hundreds taken hostage.
Netanyahu, preparing to address the U.N. General Assembly later this week before meeting President Donald Trump at the White House, has hinted that Israel may respond by annexing parts of the West Bank. Such a step would dramatically escalate tensions with the international community, as most nations view Israel’s occupation of the West Bank as illegal under international law.
Palestinian Leaders Welcome Recognition
The announcements were welcomed by both Hamas and the Palestinian Authority. Hamas hailed the recognition as the “rightful outcome of our people’s struggle, steadfastness, and sacrifices.” It called on the wider international community to isolate Israel diplomatically.
Meanwhile, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas described the U.K.’s decision as a “step toward achieving just and lasting peace” built on a two-state solution. Abbas’ administration, which exercises limited self-rule in the West Bank, has long argued that recognition is essential to restoring balance in negotiations.
More Countries Expected to Follow
The coordinated recognition from the three Commonwealth nations may trigger a broader wave of support for Palestinian statehood. On Sunday evening, Portugal joined the list of nations recognizing Palestine. France is also expected to make a similar move during this week’s U.N. General Assembly, where recognition of a Palestinian state is set to dominate the agenda.
With more than 150 countries worldwide already recognizing Palestine, the momentum could place increased pressure on the United States, Israel’s strongest ally, which continues to oppose unilateral recognition outside of a negotiated settlement.
Historical Context: Britain’s Role in Palestine
The recognition carries symbolic weight, particularly for the U.K. Britain once administered Palestine after the collapse of the Ottoman Empire in World War I. It was also the author of the 1917 Balfour Declaration, which backed a national home for the Jewish people but also promised not to prejudice the rights of Palestinians.
Analysts say Sunday’s announcement resonates deeply with that history. Husam Zomlot, the Palestinian envoy in London, told the BBC the move was a correction of a “colonial-era wrong” that began in 1917.
Burcu Ozcelik, a Middle East expert at the Royal United Services Institute, added: “It’s significant for France and the U.K. to recognize Palestine because of their historic role. But without the U.S. on board, very little will change on the ground.”
Humanitarian Crisis Driving the Shift
The recognition comes amid reports of catastrophic conditions in Gaza. Over the past two years of war, Israeli bombardments and ground operations have displaced most of Gaza’s 2.3 million residents, killed more than 65,000 people, and triggered a famine in Gaza City.
Last week, U.N.-commissioned experts accused Israel of committing genocide in Gaza, allegations that Israel called “distorted and false.” At the same time, Israel has accelerated settlement expansion in the West Bank, further undermining prospects for a viable Palestinian state.
Analysts say these developments pushed Western governments to act now. Olivia O’Sullivan of Chatham House described the recognition as a “symbolic but urgent step to keep the two-state solution alive” at a time when its viability is under serious threat.
What Comes Next
While recognition is a diplomatic victory for Palestinians, its practical impact remains uncertain. Israel continues to control key territories, and the United States shows no sign of shifting its stance. Netanyahu’s threats of annexation could also further entrench Israeli control over parts of the West Bank, effectively shrinking the land available for a Palestinian state.
Still, the decisions by the U.K., Australia, Canada, and Portugal mark a turning point in international diplomacy. They signal that patience is wearing thin with Israel’s government and that support for Palestinian statehood is broadening beyond the Global South.
The coming week’s U.N. General Assembly debates may determine whether recognition remains largely symbolic—or whether it sets the stage for a more coordinated push to achieve what many world leaders still see as the only path to lasting peace: two states living side by side.
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