On Sunday, the United Kingdom and Portugal are set to announce their official recognition of a Palestinian state, a move that precedes the UN General Assembly later this week. Other nations, including France, Canada, and Australia, are also expected to make similar declarations.
The UK’s decision to recognise Palestine comes despite opposition from the United States, after it was determined that Israel has not met certain conditions related to the conflict in Gaza. According to Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy, who was the foreign secretary until recently, Prime Minister Keir Starmer will make the official announcement.
Portugal’s recognition will be announced by Foreign Minister Paulo Rangel at 9:15 PM CET. This decision has the full backing of the country’s president, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, who stated that Portugal has consistently supported the principle of a Palestinian state throughout its history.
In a move that surprised the US administration, Australia is also reportedly poised to unilaterally recognise a Palestinian state. A source from the Trump administration told The Times of Israel that they tried to dissuade Canberra, arguing the move would be unhelpful, but Australia proceeded due to “clear internal considerations.” US President Trump has publicly opposed such recognitions, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio has warned of potential retaliatory actions by Israel, such as the annexation of the West Bank.
The decisions by the UK and France hold particular significance, as both are members of the G7 and the UN Security Council. French President Emmanuel Macron announced his intention to recognise the State of Palestine, stating that the move is part of a broader peace plan aimed at ensuring security and peace for both Israelis and Palestinians.
Belgium’s Foreign Minister, Maxime Prévot, confirmed that his country is also preparing to recognise the Palestinian state at the upcoming UN General Assembly. He stated that Belgium would implement 12 sanctions on Israel in response to the “humanitarian tragedy” and violence in Palestine.
Israel has contested these recognitions, arguing that they serve as a reward for Hamas. Conversely, the Palestinian Authority (PA) has praised the decisions, with its ambassador to Portugal describing the move as a “courageous and historic step” that supports global peace efforts.
(Information from Euronews)
