Malta Joins Global Shift Toward Palestinian Recognition in September/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Malta and Canada have announced plans to recognize the state of Palestine during the United Nations General Assembly in September. The announcements follow similar pledges by France and the United Kingdom, increasing pressure on Israel amid the Gaza conflict. The growing movement underscores international calls for a two-state solution.
Malta and Canada to Recognize Palestinian State: Quick Looks
- Malta and Canada will recognize Palestine at U.N. summit in September
- Both join France and UK in recent statehood pledges
- Over 145 countries now recognize Palestinian statehood
- Canada’s recognition is conditional on Palestinian elections excluding Hamas
- Israel boycotted the U.N. conference, calling recognition “hypocritical”
- “New York Declaration” outlines phased plan for peace
- 15 Western nations issue “New York Call” for global recognition
- Recognition movement aims to preserve viability of two-state solution
Deep Look: Malta and Canada Join Rising Tide of Nations Recognizing Palestinian Statehood
In a growing diplomatic shift, Malta and Canada announced Wednesday they will formally recognize the state of Palestine this September, joining a mounting list of countries pressing for an end to the decades-long Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Their decisions come amid a special session at the United Nations General Assembly focused on reviving the two-state solution.
The announcements, made by Malta’s Foreign Ministry and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, signal momentum building among Western powers to take concrete steps toward a resolution. They follow similar pledges by France and the United Kingdom, all of which plan to issue formal recognition during the 80th U.N. General Assembly session beginning September 23, 2025.
“Recognition is not merely symbolic,” said Christopher Cutajar, Malta’s permanent secretary for foreign affairs, at the U.N. “It is a concrete step toward the realization of a just and lasting peace.”
Malta: From Support to Action
Malta, a Mediterranean island nation and European Union member, had long voiced support for Palestinian self-determination. Prime Minister Robert Abela announced the decision on Facebook, framing it as part of Malta’s effort to help forge “a lasting peace in the Middle East.”
Cutajar echoed that sentiment in his U.N. address, emphasizing Malta’s commitment to helping move the two-state solution “from theory into practice.” Malta will now join more than 145 countries, including a growing number of EU members, that officially recognize Palestinian statehood.
Canada: Conditional Recognition Linked to Reform
Canada’s decision is more cautious. Prime Minister Mark Carney stated that the recognition of a Palestinian state will also come during the September U.N. summit, but only if certain conditions are met.
“The Palestinian Authority must hold general elections in 2026 from which Hamas is excluded, and the Palestinian state must be demilitarized,” Carney said.
The conditions mirror commitments reportedly made by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in a letter to Canadian officials dated June 10. Still, Carney’s position suggests Canada is looking for stronger guarantees before fully finalizing its recognition.
Rising Global Pressure on Israel
The announcements were made during a U.N. session that was extended to a third day due to the high number of countries eager to speak. The conference culminated in two major declarations:
- The New York Declaration, a seven-page roadmap proposing a phased plan to establish a peaceful, independent Palestinian state coexisting alongside Israel.
- The New York Call, a one-page joint statement from 15 Western nations, including Malta and Canada, urging other governments to support Palestinian recognition as a step toward peace.
Countries that signed the “New York Call” either have already recognized Palestine or signaled their intent to do so. Seven key Western countries—Andorra, Australia, Finland, Luxembourg, New Zealand, Portugal, and San Marino—have yet to take a position.
Saudi Arabia’s U.N. envoy, Abdulaziz Alwasil, suspended the session “until further notice,” giving all 193 U.N. member states until early September to endorse the proposed roadmap.
Israel and U.S. Boycott Conference
Neither Israel nor its closest ally, the United States, participated in the U.N. session. Israel’s ambassador, Danny Danon, harshly criticized the participating nations and the broader recognition movement.
“This is hypocrisy and a waste of time that legitimizes terrorism,” Danon said, adding that countries recognizing Palestine were ignoring the plight of Israeli hostages still held by Hamas.
Danon argued that symbolic gestures do little to change realities on the ground and instead embolden extremist factions.
UK and France Signal Shift in Western Policy
The announcements by France and the United Kingdom, both G7 members, have particularly amplified the global spotlight on Israel’s policies in Gaza and the stalled peace process.
- French President Emmanuel Macron declared that France would officially recognize the Palestinian state during the General Assembly session in September.
- UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer pledged similar recognition, unless Israel agrees to a ceasefire and a long-term peace process within eight weeks.
With Canada now following suit, three of the seven G7 nations have signaled intent to support Palestinian statehood—a significant change in Western diplomatic positioning.
Toward a Two-State Solution?
The broader goal of these recognition efforts is to preserve the viability of a two-state solution, which many international diplomats believe is slipping further out of reach as violence escalates and negotiations stall.
While critics call the recognition movement premature or ineffective, supporters argue that it adds critical legitimacy to Palestinian political aspirations and forces Israel to reassess its long-held positions.
“Recognition sends a message,” said one European diplomat. “Either we act now to save the two-state framework, or we risk losing it forever.”
As more countries align around that message, the September session of the United Nations General Assembly could prove to be a pivotal moment in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict’s long and troubled history.
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