World Recognizes Palestine
Nations around the globe “cry out” for an end to the alleged genocide in the Gaza Strip.
United Kingdom
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced on X that the United Kingdom officially recognizes the State of Palestine.
“Today, to revive hope for peace for Palestinians and Israelis, and for a two‑state solution, the United Kingdom officially recognizes the State of Palestine.”
In a video message he said the move responds to the “growing horror in the Middle East” and backs a two‑state solution – a secure Israel living alongside a viable Palestinian state, which he noted does not yet exist. Starmer stressed that the recognition is not a reward for Hamas and called for the immediate release of all hostages, adding that the British government will continue to fight to keep them “home.”
He described the “unbearable hunger and devastation” in Gaza, where thousands have died, including people “searching for food and water.” “This death and destruction horrifies us all,” he said.
Starmer had previously signaled on 29 July that the UK would recognize Palestine in September, before the UN General Assembly, unless Israel took steps to end the “catastrophic situation in Gaza,” declared a cease‑fire, or halted annexation plans in the West Bank.
Since then, Israel’s offensive under Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has intensified, deepening a humanitarian crisis that is approaching its second year and has already claimed at least 65,208 Palestinian lives according to Gaza’s Health Ministry. A UN investigative commission recently concluded that Israel had committed genocide in Gaza.
The UK also condemned Israel’s settlement expansion in East Jerusalem’s E1 area, which would jeopardize the viability of a future Palestinian state.
Starmer’s announcement came days after a state visit by U.S. President Donald Trump, who publicly disagreed with the Labour leader’s stance on Palestinian recognition. It also faced pressure from opposition parties and families of Israeli hostages held by Hamas, who sent an open letter urging the prime minister to reverse the decision while captives remain.
Canada
Canada recognized Palestine on Sunday, calling it “a necessary step to preserve the two‑state solution given the unsustainable nature of the current situation.”
Foreign Minister Anita Anand warned that full diplomatic normalization will not occur until Palestinian authorities implement a series of democratic reforms.
Prime Minister Mark Carney announced the recognition in a statement issued before departing for New York, where he will meet UN Secretary‑General António Guterres and attend the UN General Assembly. He justified the move by stating that the current Israeli government is “systematically preventing the establishment of a Palestinian state” through relentless settlement expansion in the West Bank and an invasion of Gaza that has caused a “devastating and avoidable famine in violation of international law.”
Australia
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese affirmed that Australia “recognizes the legitimate aspirations of the Palestinian people to have their own state,” while emphasizing that the terrorist organization Hamas must have no role in any future independent and sovereign Palestine.
Albanese framed the recognition as part of a coordinated international effort to advance a two‑state solution, secure an immediate cease‑fire in Gaza, and free all hostages taken since the October 7, 2023 attacks. He called for a “credible plan” to rebuild Gaza and guarantee Israel’s security, noting that the involvement of Arab League countries and the United States will be vital.
With nearly 150 nations already recognizing Palestine, Spain, the United Kingdom and Canada became the first G7 members to do so, ahead of a UN‑hosted summit on the two‑state solution promoted by France and Saudi Arabia.
Portugal
Portugal announced that it will recognize the State of Palestine on Sunday, a day before the High‑Level UN Conference on Palestine.
“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirms that Portugal will recognize the State of Palestine, as announced by the Minister earlier this week. This will take place on Sunday, 21 September, meaning the official declaration of recognition will occur before next week’s High‑Level Conference,” the foreign ministry said.
The article reflects the wave of diplomatic recognitions of Palestine by several major nations amid ongoing conflict and humanitarian concerns in the Gaza Strip.