Britain, Canada, Australia recognizes the Palestinian state in a landmark shift, opposing Israeli opposition

In dramatic and historic changes in foreign policies, Britain, Canada, and Australia on Sunday announced their formal recognition of Palestinian states, marked a seismic change in the Western approach to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and ignored the quick criticism of Israel.

Announcements came ahead of the opening of the UN General Assembly in New York, where the momentum built among global leaders to encourage the solution of two countries in the midst of a ongoing humanitarian disaster in Gaza.

“Today, to revive the hopes of peace for Palestine and Israel, and the solution of two countries, Britain officially recognizes the state of Palestine,” British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said in a statement distributed on X.

Shortly after that, Canada followed him, marking the first time the G7 countries took controversial steps -a long step that was opposed by strong Western countries that previously insisted on the state of Palestinians had to come only through direct negotiations with Israel.

“Canada recognizes the state of Palestine and offers our partnership in building a peaceful future promise to the Palestinian state and the state of Israel,” Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney posted.

When praised by leaders and supporters of the two Palestinian countries, the step attracted a strong reaction from Israel. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu quickly condemned the decision and signaled a strong opposition towards the UN discussion.

Calls for the Palestinian state “will endanger our existence and function as an unreasonable gift for terrorism,” Netanyahu warned.

Then on Sunday, Portugal also confirmed that it would officially recognize the state of Palestinian during the UN Summit.

“By acting now, because the Portuguese government has decided, we are still alive, it is likely to have two states,” said Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa.

This recognition increases the growing global consensus: more than 140 UN member countries 193 have recognized Palestine, while the great power of the Western, until now, has refrained.

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The announcement came for almost two years into the devastating Israeli military campaign in Gaza, was launched in response to the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023, which killed 1,219 people, most of them civilians, according to official Israeli figures.

Israeli military responses have made Gaza destroyed, with at least 65,208 deaths, most of the civilians, according to the Gaza Ministry of Health – numbers that are considered trusted by the United Nations. Strip faces mass transfer, hunger, and infrastructure collapse.

The British government, in particular, has faced increased domestic pressure to take action. Monthly protests have attracted thousands, while Youugov’s poll recently revealed that two-thirds of the British 18-25 supported the recognition of Palestine.

“Britain bears the burden of special responsibilities to support the solution of two countries,” British Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy told delegates at the United Nations in July.

Indeed, the role of Britain in the geopolitics of the Middle East comes from more than a century, especially with the Balfour Declaration of 1917, which laid the foundation for the state of modern Israel.

However, recognition is not without complications. Starmer has stressed the importance of conditional progress, including Israel to stop the anexation efforts and allow humanitarian assistance to enter Gaza. He also urged Hamas to release all the remaining hostages arrested during the 2023 attack.

Lammy, speaking to the BBC on Sunday, recognized the symbolic and practical limits of the decision.

“Will this feed the children? No, that is no, it depends on humanitarian assistance. Will this free hostages go down to the ceasefire,” he said. “But [recognition] is an attempt to survive for a two -country solution. “

From the Palestinian side, this step is seen not as a token movement, but as a strong political message.

“Recognition is not symbolic,”
Palestinian Foreign Minister Varsen Aghabekian Shahin told AFP. “This sends a very clear message to the Israeli about their illusion to continue their work forever.”

When leaders are preparing to meet at the United Nations, all eyes are on how other influential countries – including France – will respond. Recognition from the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia and Portugal indicates a significant rearrangement in global diplomatic posture, has the potential to set a stage for new international efforts to encourage the future of a long measurable peace process.

While the challenges remain – including sustainable violence, geopolitical divisions, and Palestinian internal political dynamics – Sunday recognition is a meaningful leap that is meaningful for supporters of Palestinian states.

Does this momentum cause real peace remain uncertain. But as Lammy said, “Many of them are wrapped in hope.”