Britain, Canada, and Australia have formally recognized a state of Palestine, reversing decades of unwillingness to accept Palestinians as a sovereign nation. The move is seen as a significant shift in diplomatic positions, reflecting growing public outrage over Israel’s siege in Gaza.
The British government, led by Prime Minister Keir Starmer, made the announcement on Sunday, just before the start of Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish new year. This comes amid rising tensions between Israel and Palestine, with Israel accusing those who recognize Palestinian statehood of “giving a huge reward to terror”.
The recognition is seen as a response to the growing humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where over 65,000 Palestinians have been killed according to Gaza health officials. The move also reflects the British government’s efforts to address the issue, which had faced criticism from within its own party.
Canada and Australia followed suit, recognizing Palestinian statehood in rapid succession. The announcements are significant, given that they come from major economies and traditional supporters of Israel.
Hamas has welcomed the recognition, saying it marks an important step in maintaining the rights of Palestinians to their land and holy sites. However, the move is not expected to lead to a promotion to full nationhood within the United Nations, as that would still depend on a vote by the Security Council.
The U.S. has criticized the move, saying it rewards Hamas for its militant actions. But Prime Minister Starmer rejects this, saying the recognition is about achieving a genuine two-state solution.
Source: https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/09/21/britain-recognizes-palestine-state-israel