UK, Australia, and Canada Officially Recognize Palestine

On September 21, the United Kingdom, Australia, and Canada officially recognized the State of Palestine, aligning themselves with a growing number of nations advocating for Palestinian statehood amid the escalating crisis in Gaza. This significant decision, announced on Sunday, is a response to the ongoing humanitarian emergency and a collective call for peace in the region.

Palestine welcomed these “courageous decisions” and urged other nations, including the United States, which have yet to acknowledge the State of Palestine, to take similar initiatives and align with international law. Palestinian President Mahmud Abbas described Britain’s recognition as a crucial step toward achieving lasting peace in the region. “Abbas praised the United Kingdom’s recognition of the independent State of Palestine, affirming that it constitutes an important and necessary step toward achieving a just and lasting peace in accordance with international legitimacy,” Abbas stated.

In his remarks regarding the recognition, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer emphasized that both Israelis and Palestinians deserve to coexist in peace and security. “We condemn the hostage-taking by Hamas and demand their immediate release. Recognizing Palestine is not a concession to Hamas, as Gaza’s future will be shaped independently of them,” Starmer stated in an official address. He also pledged to implement new sanctions against the leaders of the Islamist group for their “terrorist actions.”

Additionally, Prime Minister Starmer strongly denounced the humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip, which he attributed to the actions of Israel. “We urge Israel to permit immediate humanitarian aid into Gaza and condemn the loss of civilian lives resulting from IDF attacks. This is not the path to security,” he remarked, underscoring the necessity for a ceasefire and a diplomatic resolution to the conflict.

The Palestinian Foreign Ministry expressed gratitude for the recognition from various countries, emphasizing that it serves to protect the two-state solution aimed at fostering peace. “We consider these courageous decisions to be in line with international law and resolutions of international legitimacy,” the ministry said. It added that such recognition acknowledges the rights of Palestinians and represents a commitment from these countries to ending the occupation while promoting security, stability, and prosperity for the region and the world.

Furthermore, the ministry highlighted that these developments enhance efforts led by Saudi Arabia and France to implement the New York Declaration, which seeks an immediate cessation of hostilities and a resolution to the conflict through political and negotiated means. It reiterated the importance of halting the occupation’s aggression to restore calm, build trust, and create a political framework for resolving the conflict.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney announced the recognition of Palestine and expressed Canada’s commitment to partnering in building a peaceful future for both the State of Palestine and the State of Israel. He acknowledged that the Israeli government has been systematically working to prevent the establishment of a Palestinian state, adding, “Recognizing the State of Palestine, led by the Palestinian Authority, empowers those who seek peaceful coexistence and the end of Hamas. This in no way legitimizes terrorism, nor is it any reward for it.”

Australia’s Prime Minister Anthony Albanese also announced the recognition of Palestinian statehood, stating that this decision is part of an international effort to revive momentum for a two-state solution, beginning with a ceasefire in Gaza and the release of captives held there. However, the joint statement reiterated that Hamas must have “no role in Palestine.”

The recognition by Canada and Australia was coordinated with the UK’s announcement, which was made by Prime Minister Keir Starmer shortly after the other two nations. Starmer noted that this recognition would “revive hope for peace for the Palestinians and Israelis and a two-state solution.”

These announcements from major Western powers—traditionally allies of Israel—indicate a growing international isolation for Israel in light of its ongoing military actions in Gaza, which have resulted in the deaths of over 65,200 Palestinians.

As the United Nations General Assembly convenes in New York, additional countries, including France, have pledged to recognize Palestine. To date, 147 of the 193 UN member states have acknowledged Palestinian statehood, although this recognition does not grant Palestine an official seat at the UN, a status that can only be approved by the Security Council.

The United States, a permanent member of the Security Council with veto power, has thus far rejected calls for immediate recognition. However, domestic pressure within the U.S. and other Western nations to support the Palestinian cause is mounting. Alongside the recognition of Palestinian statehood, several Western countries have imposed sanctions on Israel or threatened to do so in response to its actions.