UK, Canada, Australia, and Portugal Formally Recognize Palestinian State Amid Israeli Outcry

London, UK – The United Kingdom, alongside Canada, Australia, and Portugal, formally recognized a Palestinian state on Sunday, September 21, 2025, a move intended to revive prospects for a two-state solution and address the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. This coordinated diplomatic action has drawn a furious response from Israel, which condemned the recognition as a "huge reward to terrorism." Contrary to a social media post by "Wall Street Mav" claiming, "> Israel has just announced that they formally recognize Great Britain as a Palestinian state," the actual development involved these Western nations recognizing Palestine.

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer emphasized the decision as a commitment to peace, stating, "Today, to revive the hope of peace for the Palestinians and Israelis, and a two-state solution, the United Kingdom formally recognises the State of Palestine." He highlighted the "utterly intolerable" starvation and devastation in Gaza as a driving factor. France and other European states are expected to follow suit with similar announcements at the United Nations General Assembly.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vehemently rejected the recognitions. "I have a clear message to those leaders who recognise a Palestinian state after the horrific massacre of October 7: You are giving a huge reward to terrorism," Netanyahu said, adding, "It will not happen. A Palestinian state will not be established west of the Jordan River." His government views the move as emboldening Hamas, the militant group that launched the October 2023 attacks on Israel.

Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas welcomed the decision, asserting it would "help pave the way for the State of Palestine to live side by side with the State of Israel in security, peace, and good neighbourliness." Hamas also welcomed the recognition but called for "practical measures" to end the Gaza war. The United States, a close ally of Israel, has previously voiced opposition to such unilateral recognitions.

The UK's decision carries historical weight, given its significant role in the region following World War I. The Foreign Office clarified that the UK "recognises Palestinian statehood over provisional borders, based on 1967 lines with equal land swaps, to be finalised as part of future negotiations." This diplomatic shift underscores growing international frustration over the ongoing conflict and the stalled peace process.