In a move that has sent shockwaves through international diplomacy, the United Kingdom, Australia, and Canada all formally recognized the state of Palestine on Sunday, September 21, 2025. This coordinated announcement marks a dramatic shift in longstanding Western foreign policy and comes amid mounting global frustration with Israel’s ongoing military campaign in Gaza, nearly two years after hostilities erupted in the region.
Australia’s Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, joined by Foreign Minister Penny Wong, issued a joint statement outlining the country’s new stance. The statement clarified, “Further steps, including the establishment of diplomatic relations and opening of embassies, will be considered as the Palestinian Authority makes progress on its commitments to reform.” According to Bloomberg, Albanese emphasized that this recognition is intended to acknowledge the enduring aspirations of Palestinians for statehood and to inject fresh momentum into the two-state solution, a vision that has long eluded negotiators on both sides.
The United Kingdom and Canada echoed similar reasoning. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s decision fulfilled a pledge he made in July 2025, which was contingent on Israel agreeing to a ceasefire and committing to the two-state solution. However, as reported by CNN, Israel has since expanded settlements in the occupied West Bank and continued its military operations in Gaza, prompting Starmer to follow through on his promise. In a video address, Starmer declared, “In the face of growing horror in the Middle East, we are acting to keep alive the possibility of peace.”
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney made his country’s position clear on social media, stating, “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.” A senior Canadian official told CNN, “The Palestinian Authority has renounced violence, has recognized Israel and is committed to the two-state solution. We are recognizing the State of Palestine in order to empower those who seek peaceful coexistence and marginalize Hamas.”
Portugal quickly joined the trio, announcing its recognition of Palestine later the same day. French President Emmanuel Macron confirmed France’s intention to follow suit, noting that the release of hostages in Gaza would be a prerequisite before opening an embassy in Palestine. Several other European nations, including Belgium, Luxembourg, and San Marino, are expected to declare their recognition during the United Nations General Assembly this week, according to The Guardian.
These moves have deepened Israel’s diplomatic isolation and put several Western allies at odds with the United States, which remains steadfast in its support for Israel. President Donald Trump, echoing sentiments from previous years, criticized the recognitions and warned that they could have repercussions for countries like Canada in ongoing trade negotiations.
In Israel, the response was swift and vehement. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued a stern rebuke, declaring, “There will be no Palestinian state.” He added, “I have a clear message to those leaders recognizing a Palestinian state after the horrific massacre of October 7th: you are giving a massive prize to terror.” Netanyahu went further, promising a response upon his return from the United States and stating that Israel has “doubled Jewish settlement” in the occupied West Bank, with intentions to continue on that path.
Israeli President Isaac Herzog was equally critical, asserting that the recognition “will not help one Palestinian, it won’t help free one hostage, and it will not help us reach any settlement between Israelis and Palestinians. This is a sad day for those who seek true peace,” Herzog wrote on X (formerly Twitter).
The context for these dramatic diplomatic shifts is the ongoing war in Gaza, which, according to Gaza’s health ministry, has resulted in the deaths of more than 65,000 Palestinians since October 2023. The ministry’s figures do not distinguish between combatants and civilians, but the sheer scale of the losses has fueled international outrage. Israel’s military campaign was launched in response to Hamas’s attack on October 7, 2023, which killed approximately 1,200 people and saw around 250 taken hostage. Israel’s government and many of its Western allies have labeled the attack terrorism, and Israel’s subsequent actions have been defended as necessary for national security. However, a growing number of international scholars and organizations have accused Israel of committing genocide—a charge the Israeli government vehemently denies.
Within Israel, the political debate has intensified. Far-right members of Netanyahu’s coalition have called for the outright annexation of the occupied West Bank in response to the international recognitions. The government maintains that moves to recognize Palestinian statehood reward and embolden Hamas, undermining prospects for peace.
Palestinian leaders, on the other hand, have welcomed the decisions as long-overdue steps toward justice and peace. Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas called the UK’s announcement “an important and necessary step towards achieving a just and lasting peace.” Abbas argued that the move could “pave the way for the implementation of the two-state solution, allowing the State of Palestine to live side by side with the State of Israel in security, peace, and good neighborliness.”
Basem Naim, a senior Hamas political official, told CNN that the recognitions are “a welcomed step,” but insisted they must be matched by “practical measures on the ground.” Meanwhile, Dr. Hanan Ashrawi, a prominent Palestinian political figure, described the wave of recognitions as “a sea change in the world.” She added, “There are many courses of action open to these states to stop the genocide & take punitive measures against Israel. The test lies in whether they will.”
Despite the symbolic weight of these recognitions, the practical path to full UN membership for Palestine remains fraught with obstacles. Admission as a full member requires at least nine of the 15 members of the Security Council to vote in favor, with none of the five permanent members—Britain, China, France, Russia, or the US—exercising a veto. The US is widely expected to block any such move, leaving Washington increasingly isolated as China and Russia recognized Palestine as far back as 1988.
Even among the world’s wealthiest democracies, divisions persist. Canada and the UK are the first G7 countries to recognize Palestine, but Japan, Italy, and Germany have all signaled their opposition. As the United Nations General Assembly convenes this week, all eyes will be on whether France and other European nations follow through on their intentions, and how Israel and its allies respond to this rapidly shifting diplomatic landscape.
The recognition of Palestine by three major Western powers is not just a diplomatic gesture; it’s a turning point that could reshape the contours of Middle Eastern politics and the international order. Whether this will bring the region closer to peace or deepen existing divides remains to be seen, but the world is watching—and waiting for the next move.