The United Kingdom has formally recognised the State of Palestine, with Canada and Australia joining in a coordinated effort to revive the push for a two-state solution.
The decision, announced on Sunday, comes as Israel presses ahead with its genocide in Gaza where more than 65,000 Palestinians have been killed, while simultaneously accelerating settlement expansion in the occupied West Bank.
Portugal and France are expected to recognise Palestine as well formally.
“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,” said Starmer.
He added that the “starvation and devastation [in Gaza] are utterly intolerable” and that the “death and destruction horrifies all of us”. Hamas, he added, “can have no role in the future governance of Gaza”.
The move carries deep historical weight. In 1917, the British government issued the Balfour Declaration, pledging support for the creation of a Jewish homeland in Palestine – a turning point in the dispossession of Palestinians.
While the recognition is largely symbolic and unlikely to alter Israeli policies on the ground, it signals mounting international pressure on Israel from some of its closest Western allies.
To date, 147 of the UN’s 193 member states have recognised Palestine. But Palestine remains outside the UN as a full member state, a move blocked by the Security Council, where the United States has wielded its veto power.
“Britain’s fulfilment of a solemn responsibility”
Palestinian ambassador to the UK, Husam Zomlot, said on X: “We welcome the British Government’s historic decision to formally recognise the State of Palestine. Today is not just about Palestine, but about Britain’s fulfilment of a solemn responsibility. This long-overdue recognition marks an end to Britain’s denial of the Palestinian.”
Israel accused the UK, Canada and Australia of “siding with Hamas” by recognising Palestinian statehood at this moment.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, in his announcement, said recognition of a Palestinian state and offered “our partnership in building the promise of a peaceful future for both the State of Palestine and the State of Israel.”
Carney added that the Israeli government was working “methodically to prevent the prospect of a Palestinian state from ever being established”.
He said the Palestinian Authority had given “direct commitments” to Canada to reform its governance, hold elections next year, and establish a demilitarised state.
Australia’s Prime Minister Anthony Albanese echoed that message in a joint statement with Foreign Minister Penny Wong, describing the coordinated recognition with Canada and the UK as part of an international push for a ceasefire in Gaza, the release of captives, and a pathway towards a two-state solution.
