London: The U.K., Australia, and Canada confirmed Sunday that they are formally recognising a Palestinian state despite vociferous opposition from the U.S. and Israel.
The coordinated initiative from the Commonwealth nations and long-time allies of Israel reflects growing outrage at Israel’s conduct of the war in Gaza and the steps taken by the Israeli government to thwart any efforts to create a Palestinian state, including by the continued expansion of settlements in the West Bank.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who has faced pressure to take a harder line on Israel within his own governing Labour Party, said the U.K.’s move is intended “to revive the hope of peace for the Palestinians and Israelis,” while insisting that it wasn’t a reward for Hamas.
“Today, to revive the hope of peace and a two-state solution, I state clearly as prime minister of this great country that the United Kingdom formally recognises the state of Palestine,” Starmer said in his video message.
“We recognised the state of Israel more than 75 years ago as a homeland for the Jewish people. Today we join over 150 countries that recognise a Palestinian state. A pledge to the Palestinian and Israeli people that there can be a better future.”
The announcement was widely anticipated after Starmer said in July that the U.K. would recognise a Palestinian state unless Israel agreed to a ceasefire in Gaza, allowed the U.N. to bring in aid and took other steps toward long-term peace.
More countries are expected to do so at the U.N. General Assembly this week, including France, which, like the U.K., is one of the five permanent members of the Security Council.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said in his statement that the three announcements on Sunday were “part of a coordinated international effort to build new momentum for a two-state solution.”
President Mahmoud Abbas welcomed Britain’s announcement, stressing that it constitutes an important and necessary step toward achieving a just peace in accordance with international law.
There was no immediate reaction from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, but ahead of the decision Sunday his spokeswoman, Shosh Bedrosian, said the leader considered the maneuver “absurd and simply a reward for terrorism.”
The U.K.’s recognition of a Palestinian state comes just days after a state visit to Britain by U.S. President Donald Trump, during which he voiced his disapproval of the plan.
Critics, including the U.S. and the Israeli government, which has shown no interest in a two-state solution, have condemned the plans, saying it rewards Hamas for its attack on Oct. 7, 2023.
As well as arguing that recognition is immoral, critics argue that it’s an empty gesture given that the Palestinian people are divided into two territories — the West Bank and Gaza — with no recognised international capital.
