The UK, France, and Canada have said they plan to officially recognise Palestine as a state during the United Nations General Assembly in September.

On Tuesday, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer said the UK would recognise Palestine in September unless Israel takes  “substantive steps”, such as agreeing to a ceasefire in Gaza and allowing aid to resume.

A day later, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney confirmed that his country would also recognise Palestine.

The moves came following France’s announcement last week that it would recognise a Palestinian state in September.

Unlike the announcements from France and Canada, the UK’s support for Palestinian statehood appears to come with conditions — a stance that has been widely criticised.

“Palestinian statehood is not a bargaining chip,” said Independent MP Jeremy Corbyn on X.

“It is not a threat. It is an inalienable right of the Palestinian people. 

“Our demands on this shameful government remain the same: end all arms sales to Israel, impose widespread sanctions, and stop the genocide, now.”

Despite the backlash, this decision represents a significant shift in the UK’s position, which has been hastened by weeks of shocking images of starvation and suffering in Gaza caused by Israel.

“Now was the right time”

Following an emergency meeting with his Cabinet, Starmer said, “now was the right time to move this position forward” due to the worsening crisis in Gaza and the failing chances of peace.

He said the UK would recognise Palestine unless Israel agrees to a ceasefire, commits to a lasting peace plan, allows the UN to deliver aid and does not annex the West Bank.

In Canada, Prime Minister Carney said the two-state solution has long been Canada’s goal.

“The prospect of a Palestinian state is being eroded before our eyes,” he said.

“The level of human suffering in Gaza is intolerable and it’s rapidly deteriorating,

“Tens of thousands of Palestinians have been killed. Thousands more are on the brink of famine. Canada condemns the fact that the Israeli government has let the situation deteriorate in Gaza to this extent,” he added.

Last week, France became the first of the G7 countries to say it would recognise Palestine.

In a post on X, Macron wrote: “True to its historic commitment to a just and lasting peace in the Middle East, I have decided that France will recognise the State of Palestine.

“We must also guarantee the demilitarisation of Hamas, and secure and rebuild Gaza.

“Finally, we must build the State of Palestine, ensure its viability, and ensure that by accepting its demilitarisation and fully recognising Israel, it contributes to the security of all in the Middle East. There is no alternative.”

Meanwhile, 14 countries—including Australia and New Zealand—represented at a special UN meeting issued a “New York call,” urging the world to recognise Palestine as a state.