Three major Western nations – France, the UK, and Canada – have endorsed calls for a Palestinian state, joining over 140 other countries in supporting the cause. The move is seen as a boost for Palestinians, who have welcomed the announcements with optimism. However, the Israeli government has rejected the calls, describing them as tantamount to rewarding terrorism.
US President Donald Trump’s desire for regional peace and a Nobel Peace Prize appears to be at odds with his backing for Israel. Riyadh demands that Saudi Arabia normalize relations with Israel before any progress can be made. The US move has left Washington increasingly isolated over its support for Israel.
Palestinian statehood could potentially end the ongoing war in Gaza, which has claimed over 60,000 lives since Hamas’s attack in 2020. However, the concept of a Palestinian state is challenging to envision due to its non-existent existence since Israel’s founding in 1948.
Israel expanded during the “Six Day War” and gained significant territory, including East Jerusalem and the West Bank. The closest outline of a future Palestinian state was established in the Oslo Accords of the 1990s but remains unrealistic today due to Israeli settlement expansion and internal divisions within the Palestinian Authority.
Netanyahu’s hard-line cabinet members refuse to consider an independent Palestinian state, viewing it as a threat. Netanyahu has shown no willingness to back down, leading to speculation that Western allies’ recognition could embolden him rather than bring about change. The international community is likely to increase pressure on Trump to reconsider his stance, potentially putting Israel at a disadvantage.
Source: https://edition.cnn.com/2025/08/02/middleeast/palestinian-state-israel-uk-france-canada-intl