Canada, UK and Australia formally recognise Palestinian state

Move aimed at reviving momentum for two-state solution, but Israel slams decision as ‘reward for Hamas’

By Abdullahi Yusuf

The United Kingdom, Canada and Australia have announced formal recognition of the State of Palestine, marking a coordinated diplomatic move intended to revive the long-stalled two-state solution.

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer confirmed the decision on Sunday, saying recognition was necessary “to revive the hope of peace for the Palestinians and Israelis”.

“Today, the United Kingdom formally recognises the State of Palestine,” Starmer said in a post on X. “That means a safe and secure Israel alongside a viable Palestinian state. At the moment, we have neither.”

Starmer had pledged earlier this year that Britain would take the step by September if Israel failed to demonstrate “substantive progress” toward peace.

Canada’s Prime Minister Mark Carney made a similar declaration, writing on X that his country “recognises the State of Palestine and offers our partnership in building the promise of a peaceful future for both the State of Palestine and the State of Israel”.

Australia also joined the move. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said Canberra’s recognition was part of a coordinated effort with London and Ottawa to advance a two-state framework.

“This is about contributing to an international push for peace,” Albanese said.

The decision triggered sharp criticism in Israel, where opposition leader Benny Gantz said recognising Palestinian statehood in the aftermath of Hamas’s October 7 attack was “a prize for terror”.

“Recognising a Palestinian state after October 7 only emboldens Hamas, extends the war, distances the prospects of a hostage deal and sends a clear message of support to Iran and its proxies,” Gantz said. He called on Western leaders to instead apply “maximum pressure” on Hamas to relinquish power and release captives.

The joint recognition by three G7 nations adds weight to a global movement that has already seen more than 140 of the United Nations’ 193 member states recognise Palestine.

Diplomatic analysts say the move could strengthen the Palestinian Authority’s hand in international forums and further isolate Israel diplomatically if it refuses to re-engage with peace negotiations.

For many Palestinians, the recognition offers symbolic validation of their decades-long struggle for statehood, even as the war in Gaza and continued settlement expansion in the West Bank cast doubt on the feasibility of a two-state solution in practice.

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