UK Canada Australia and Portugal Recognize Palestinian State: 2-State Solution Alive

Britain, Canada, Australia, and Portugal officially announced their recognition of the State of Palestine on Sunday, joining over 150 countries in support of the two-state solution. The move comes amidst growing international condemnation of Israel’s ongoing military campaign in Gaza and increasing pressure for a political resolution to the decades-long conflict.

In a televised address, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer stated:

“In the face of the growing horror in the Middle East, we are working to keep the two-state solution alive.”

Starmer emphasized that recognition of a Palestinian state is not a reward for terrorism, noting:

“This is the exact opposite of Hamas’s vision of hatred. Hamas cannot have a future in government. We recognized Israel over 75 years ago as the homeland of the Jewish people — today, we recognize the State of Palestine.”

UK: “Recognition Keeps Two-State Solution Alive”

He also confirmed that Britain will soon impose additional sanctions on senior Hamas members. He described the situation in Gaza as a “man-made humanitarian crisis” caused by “relentless and escalating Israeli bombardment.”

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney echoed similar sentiments, directly criticizing the Israeli government:

“The current Israeli government is working systematically to prevent the establishment of a Palestinian state.”

Carney stressed that recognition strengthens moderates and empowers the Palestinian Authority (PA), which he said has made “direct commitments” to hold democratic elections in 2026 — excluding Hamas from participation.

Australia and Portugal Join

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese stated that “Hamas cannot have a role in Palestine” and that any future Palestinian state must be free of terrorism and based on democratic reform.

Portuguese Foreign Minister Paulo Rangel called the two-state solution the “only path to sustainable peace,” aligning his country with the growing Western bloc supporting Palestinian recognition.

Netanyahu Blasts Recognition: “Rewarding Terror”

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, currently in the United States ahead of the UN General Assembly, condemned the move in harsh terms:

“I have a clear message to those who recognize a Palestinian state after the October 7 massacre: You are giving a huge reward to terrorism,” Netanyahu said.
“A Palestinian state will not be established west of the Jordan. We have doubled settlement in Judea and Samaria — and we will continue on this path.”

Netanyahu did not specify how Israel would respond but said a response would be issued upon his return from the U.S.

PA Praises “Historic Step,” 

Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas welcomed Britain’s recognition as a “historic and courageous step” and reaffirmed the PA’s commitment to democratic reforms discussed in his recent meeting with Prime Minister Starmer.

A senior Palestinian official confirmed that Abbas sent a letter to French President Emmanuel Macron and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, pledging to hold general elections within one year. Only parties aligned with the PLO Charter — effectively excluding Hamas — would be allowed to participate.

Abbas also confirmed plans to hold elections for the Palestinian National Council by the end of 2025 — the first democratic vote in the Palestinian political system since 2006.

“A Victory for the Palestinian People”

Hussein al-Sheikh, deputy to Abbas, said the recognition marks a milestone:

“This is a historic day in the life of the Palestinian people and in the recognition of their legitimate rights. This is the fruit of our people’s patience, steadfastness, and sacrifice.”

A senior British official told Haaretz that Palestine’s current diplomatic representation in the UK could soon be upgraded to full embassy status. However, he clarified that London does not currently plan to open an embassy in the Palestinian territories, and “all options are being discussed.”

Israel's Foreign Ministry Rejects Recognition

Israel’s Foreign Ministry strongly rejected the announcements, accusing the PA of failing to uphold its obligations:

“The Palestinian Authority continues to incite violence, pay terrorists, and has taken no meaningful action to combat terrorism — as proven by the missile caches found last week near Ramallah,” the ministry said.
“The PA is part of the problem, not the solution.”

Israel also pointed to U.S. restrictions on Palestinian officials as further justification for its position.

 General Assembly: Open Two-State Peace Conference

The recognition announcements come just one day before the UN General Assembly convenes in New York, where France and Saudi Arabia are set to launch a high-level peace conference advocating the immediate implementation of a two-state framework.

The conference follows a UN General Assembly resolution, passed earlier this month with support from 142 countries, endorsing a roadmap that includes:

• A full IDF withdrawal from Gaza,

• Disarmament of Hamas,

• Deployment of an international stabilization force,

• Reforms and democratic elections in the Palestinian Authority excluding Hamas, and

• Transfer of UNRWA services to the PA.

Only 10 countries, including the United States, opposed the measure. Hungary was the only EU country to vote against it, while the Czech Republic abstained.

Analysis: Tectonic Shift in Western Policy

The coordinated recognition by multiple major Western nations — including historic allies of Israel — marks a tectonic shift in international diplomacy around the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. With France potentially joining the move in the coming days, the pressure on Israel to engage in meaningful negotiations is mounting.

However, Netanyahu’s firm rejection signals that any progress toward a two-state solution will remain deeply contested, both within Israel and in the broader geopolitical arena.