U.K., Canada and Australia recognize a Palestinian state : NPR
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney met before the G7 summit starting at Parliament’s hill on June 15, 2025 in Ottawa, Canada.
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Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia and other countries have announced that they would officially recognize Palestine as a state-a decision that has long been opposed to the United States and Israel.
“We recognized the state of Israel over 75 years ago as a homeland for the Jewish people. Today, we join more than 150 countries that also recognize a Palestinian state. A commitment to the Palestinian and Israeli people, that there can be a better future,” British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said on Sunday.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said on Sunday recognizing Palestine as a state “authorizes those looking for peaceful coexistence and the end of Hamas”.
“This does not legitimize terrorism or any reward in any way.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said on Sunday that the opening of embassies and the establishment of diplomatic relations will be considered as the Palestinian authority will progress in his commitment to reform.
“Already, crucial work is underway throughout the international community to develop a credible peace plan which allows the reconstruction of Gaza, strengthens the capacity of the state of Palestine and guarantees the security of Israel,” said Albanese in a press release.
The designation of the American allies follows the Starmer meeting with President Trump last week. After their meeting, Trump said he wanted the war in Gaza to end but did not agree with Palestine’s recognition plans as a state.
“I have a disagreement with the Prime Minister on this score,” said Trump at a press conference.
World leaders will meet on Tuesday for the United Nations General Assembly, with more countries, including France, which should officially recognize Palestine as a state in the coming days. More than 140 of the 193 UN member states already recognize Palestine as a state.
French president Emmanuel Macron said that in July, France would announce the designation to the Assembly, displaying on X that the recognition of Israel and Palestine will contribute to “the security of all in the region”.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Portugal also announced on Friday that it would officially recognize Palestine as a state.
The displaced Palestinians flee the north of the Gaza Strip, on foot and in vehicles, carrying their personal effects along the coastal road, near Wadi Gaza, on Saturday September 20, 2025.
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Israeli and Palestinian reactions
The news that the countries had officially recognized Palestine as a state was congratulated by Palestinian officials.
The president of the Palestinian Authority Mahmoud Abbas underlined in multiple statements according to which this will help to open the way for a solution to two states, and will allow Palestine to live “side by side with the State of Israel in matters of security, peace and good neighborhood”.
In the West Bank occupied by Israeli, the reaction of the Palestinians was mixed. Sara Mohammed, a 20 -year -old student in computer engineering, told NPR that she wanted to see more concrete action.
“We want people to speak to change something-not to say it and move on,” she said.
The mute atmosphere in the region – where there are now more than 1,200 Israeli control points, making travel very difficult – is far from the celebrations that broke out in 2012 when the UN improved Palestine to the state observer.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu denounced the new designation of the countries, saying Sunday in a message published on X that “there will be no Palestinian state in the west of Jordan”.
“I have a clear message to the leaders who recognize a Palestinian state after the terrible massacre of October 7: you give a huge reward for terrorism,” said Netanyahu. “The answer to the last attempt to impose a terrorist state in us at the heart of our country will be given after my return from the United States. We will wait.”
And as the countries announced recognition, Israel launched an attack on Gaza City, killing more than 40 people, according to the Associated Press.
Carrie Kahn of NPR contributed to this report.
