The UK, Canada, Australia and Portugal announced on 21 September that they officially recognise the Palestinian state, joining the 147 countries that have already done so – including Ireland – in a significant diplomatic shift on the eve of the UN General Assembly in New York, where the two-state solution will be one of the main topics of debate.
According to international media reports, Canada became the first G7 country to take the step: “Canada recognizes the State of Palestine and offers partnership in building a peaceful future for both Palestine and Israel”, declared Prime Minister Mark Carney on social media.
Shortly afterwards, Australia also confirmed its recognition, followed by the United Kingdom, which issued an official statement confirming the decision: “Today, to revive the hope of peace for the Palestinians and Israelis, and a two-state solution, the United Kingdom formally recognises the State of Palestine,” announced British Prime Minister Keir Starmer in a message posted on the social network X.
The three countries are the first members of the G7 to take this historic step, but they are not the only ones: France and other nations are expected to recognise the Palestinian state at the opening of the UN General Assembly in New York on Monday. French President Emmanuel Macron is expected to announce France’s decision on the eve of the start of the General Assembly.
Netanyahu’s warning
The move however puts these countries in direct confrontation with the United States and, above all, with Israel, whose Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reacted sharply to the announcement, saying that calls for recognition of a Palestinian state “would endanger our existence and serve as an absurd reward for terrorism“, while reiterating his intention to expand illegal Jewish settlements in the West Bank.
“I have a clear message for those leaders who recognise a Palestinian state after the horrific massacre of 7 October: you are granting a huge reward to terror… And I have another message for you: it will not happen. No Palestinian state will be established west of the Jordan River” Netanyahu said. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas welcomed the announcement, saying that recognition of an independent Palestine “constitutes an important and necessary step toward achieving a just and lasting peace in accordance with international legitimacy”.
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Edited and reviewed by:
Pablo Gómez is a specialist in Turkey and has been editor-in-chief of Hispanatolia since 2011. He has been analysing current affairs and geopolitics in Turkey and the surrounding region since 2006.
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