Australia, Canada Recognize Palestinian State, Sparking Israeli Anger.
Australia and Canada on Sunday officially recognized a Palestinian state, marking a seismic shift in decades of Western foreign policy and provoking immediate Israeli condemnation. Portugal is also set to recognize Palestinian statehood later Sunday, as Israel faces mounting international pressure over the ongoing war in Gaza, triggered nearly two years ago by the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack.
“Today, to revive hope for peace between Palestinians and Israelis, and to support a two-state solution, the United Kingdom formally recognizes the State of Palestine,” UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer said in a statement on X.
Britain and Canada are now the first G7 nations to take this step, with France and other countries expected to follow at the UN General Assembly, which opens Monday in New York. “Canada recognizes the State of Palestine and offers our partnership in building the promise of a peaceful future for both the State of Palestine and the State of Israel,” Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney wrote on X.
This move represents a watershed moment for Palestinians and their decades-long aspirations for statehood. Historically, the most powerful Western nations argued that recognition should come only as part of a negotiated peace deal with Israel.
The decision, however, puts these countries at odds with the United States and Israel. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned the recognition, vowing to oppose it at the UN. “Calls for a Palestinian state would endanger our existence and serve as an absurd reward for terrorism,” he said.
Amid Israel’s intensified Gaza offensive, which aims to eliminate Hamas militants, the Gaza Strip has endured widespread destruction, a spiraling death toll, and severe shortages of food and essential supplies, triggering a major humanitarian crisis.
UK Pressure and Public Support
The UK government has faced growing domestic pressure to act, with monthly rallies and polls showing strong support among young Britons. A recent YouGov survey found two-thirds of Britons aged 18-25 favor Palestinian statehood.
Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy acknowledged at the UN in July that “Britain bears a special burden of responsibility to support the two-state solution,” referencing the UK’s historic role in laying the groundwork for the creation of Israel through the 1917 Balfour Declaration.
Three-quarters of UN member states already recognize Palestinian statehood, with more than 140 out of 193 countries having taken the step.
Starmer said in July that the UK would recognize a Palestinian state unless Israel made “substantive” progress, including agreeing to a ceasefire in Gaza, increasing humanitarian aid access, and confirming it would not annex the West Bank. Starmer has also urged Hamas to release the remaining hostages from the 2023 attack and plans to introduce new sanctions on the militant group.
Lammy emphasized that recognition by itself will not address immediate humanitarian needs or free hostages but represents a step toward sustaining hope for a two-state solution. Palestinian Foreign Minister Varsen Aghabekian Shahin added, “Recognition is not symbolic. It sends a very clear message to the Israelis on their illusions of continuing occupation forever.”
Casualties and Context
Hamas’s 2023 attack killed 1,219 people, mostly civilians. Israel’s retaliatory campaign has resulted in at least 65,208 deaths in Gaza, according to the local health ministry, figures the UN considers reliable.
Portugal plans to formally declare its recognition of Palestine in New York on Sunday. Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa said, “By acting now, as the Portuguese government has decided, we’re keeping alive the possibility of having two states.”
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