UK, Canada and France Recognize Palestinian State
Humanitarian disaster in Gaza drives a diplomatic shift as 13+ countries, including the UK, Canada and France, recognize Palestine ahead of the UNGA — increasing calls for an immediate ceasefire, hostage releases and renewed push for a two-state solution.
By Real contentPublished 4 months ago • 4 min read
- .Destruction in Gaza and the severe humanitarian crisis are bringing notable changes to the diplomatic landscape.
On Sunday, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and Portugal recognized the existence of the Palestinian state, while more countries are preparing to do so during the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly.
The governments of Finland and New Zealand have also given similar signals.
Among the countries that have recently recognized the Palestinian state, the decisions by the UK and Canada are particularly significant. The UK is one of the five permanent members of the UN Security Council and holds veto power over its decisions, while Canada is the first G7 country to recognize the Palestinian state.
After France’s recognition of Palestine, the United States will remain the only permanent Security Council member that does not recognize the Palestinian state.
The other two permanent members, China and Russia (then part of the Soviet Union), recognized Palestine just days after the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) declared independence in Algeria in November 1988.
France has announced it will recognize Palestine unconditionally.
The UK decided to act because Israel is unwilling to end the “horrific situation” in Gaza and refuses to agree to a ceasefire with the Palestinian armed group Hamas.
In addition, the British Labour government has demanded that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stop further annexations in the West Bank and commit to a long-term peace process leading to a two-state solution.
London has also called on Hamas to release all hostages, sign a ceasefire agreement with Israel, lay down its weapons, and have no role in the future governance of Gaza.
Although these demands have not been met, Sir Keir Starmer has rejected claims by Israeli officials and some relatives of hostages that this move is tantamount to a “reward” for Hamas.
The British Prime Minister said their demand for a two-state solution is the exact opposite of Hamas’s hateful vision.
Similar conditions were laid down for Hamas at the end of July in a declaration signed in New York by the Arab League’s 22 member states, the European Union, and 17 other countries.
In response, Hamas said it would not disarm until an independent Palestinian state is established.
the Gaza War and the Two-State Solution
Since the start of the Gaza war, 13 countries have formally recognized the Palestinian state: Spain, the UK, Canada, Australia, Portugal, Ireland, Norway, Slovenia, the Bahamas, Jamaica, Barbados, Armenia, and Trinidad.
French President Emmanuel Macron announced on X his readiness to join this list of countries, writing:
“The most urgent need today is to end the war in Gaza and protect the civilian population.”
He added:
“Peace is possible. We need an immediate ceasefire, the release of all hostages, and large-scale humanitarian aid for the people of Gaza. We must disarm Hamas and work on Gaza’s security and reconstruction.”
The Israeli president, however, emphasized that these steps could fuel “terrorism” and create “another Iranian proxy” in the Middle East.
Last August, Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu said:
“Under these conditions, a Palestinian state would not live in peace but would serve as a launching pad for Israel’s destruction.”
Israel claims these moves amount to a “reward” for Hamas.
What Does Recognition of a State Actually Mean?
Recognition by other countries is one of the four main factors of statehood. But it is not the sole decisive factor for the existence of a state.
From the perspective of international relations, the three essential elements of a state are: defined borders, a permanent population, and sovereignty.
There are several places that fulfill these three elements but function as active states only with recognition by a handful of governments. The most prominent example is Taiwan, which China considers a breakaway province. Taiwan also lacks full UN membership.
On the other hand, there are failed states that are recognized by the UN and its members yet lack full control over their territory and borders or the ability to ensure the welfare of their citizens.
More countries recognizing Palestine means an increasing number of governments view the Palestinian Authority as a legitimate entity — capable of establishing normal diplomatic relations, opening embassies, and cooperating in various forms.
However, this is not enough to grant Palestinians full representation at the UN. Admission of new members requires approval by the Security Council, which means either gaining votes in favor or at least the US abstaining from voting.
In April 2024, the US vetoed a resolution to admit Palestine as a member state.
If Palestine were admitted, it would gain rights and responsibilities equal to other UN member states. But this alone would not improve realities on the ground or create a fully functioning state.
For that, it would be necessary not only to end the Gaza war but also to resolve the decades-long Israeli–Palestinian conflict. Israel not only controls Palestinian borders but is also regarded by many international bodies as an occupying power.
For decades, hopes for peace between Israel and Palestine have largely revolved around the two-state solution. Yet progress has repeatedly stalled due to multiple complex issues.
One of the most significant is the future of Israeli settlements built on land captured during the 1967 Six-Day War in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, where about 700,000 people now live.
: A Core Issue
Palestinians want East Jerusalem as the capital of their state, but Israel has established its capital there — a move not recognized by the majority of the international community, which maintains that Jerusalem cannot be divided.
Israel’s position is rooted in the fact that many Jewish holy sites are located in East Jerusalem. Moreover, after the 1948 war, the city was divided for nearly 20 years, during which time Israeli Jews were denied access to worship at the Western Wall, then under Jordanian control.
Another key issue is the right of return for Palestinians displaced during wars with Israel.
It is estimated that around 700,000 Palestinians were forced to flee or were expelled from their homes after the first Arab–Israeli war, and today their descendants number nearly six million.
Palestinian leadership demands that these people be allowed to resettle not only in a future Palestinian state but also within Israel’s current borders. Israel, however, categorically rejects this.
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