London [UK], September 22: The leaders of Britain, Canada and Australia announced on Sunday that their governments have formally recognised a Palestinian state, a coordinated move that breaks with Israel and its closest ally, the United States.
The three prime ministers said their decision was meant to revive hopes for a negotiated two-state solution after decades of conflict and nearly two years of intense fighting in the Gaza Strip.
"The hope of a two-state solution is fading," British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said in a six-minute video message, referring to the long-sought effort to establish an independent Palestinian state alongside Israel. "We cannot let that light go out." Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese called recognition a long-overdue step.
"Today we acknowledge the legitimate and long-held aspirations of the Palestinian people for a state of their own," he said in a statement. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney dismissed criticism that the move is merely symbolic.
"While Canada is under no illusions that this recognition is a panacea," Carney said, "this recognition is firmly aligned with the principles of self-determination and fundamental human rights reflected in the United Nations Charter, and the consistent policy of Canada for generations." Carney accused Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government of "working methodically to prevent the prospect of a Palestinian state from ever being established." All three leaders coupled their announcement with unequivocal denunciations of Hamas for its October 7, 2023 attack on Israel, when the Palestinian groups killed about 1,200 people and abducted some 250 others.
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas welcomed Britain's move, calling it "an important and necessary step toward achieving a just and lasting peace in accordance with international legitimacy."
Portugal also planned to extend recognition on Sunday evening. Other Western nations, including France and Belgium, are expected to follow suit this week when world leaders gather in New York for the high-level debate week at the UN General Assembly.
Israel's far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir called for the immediate annexation of the occupied West Bank in response to the recognition.
In a post on X, he demanded the complete dismantling of the Palestinian Authority, which he described as a "terror authority," and said he would present a proposal at the next government meeting for the "extension of Israeli sovereignty" - a reference to annexation that would further undermine prospects for a Palestinian state.
"As families who deeply want peace in the region, we believe that any discussion about recognising a Palestinian state must be contingent upon the immediate release of all hostages," the Hostages and Missing Families Forum said in a statement.
The United States and Germany are opposed to recognition at this time. French President Emmanuel Macron first proposed using the UN General Assembly debate week to advance recognition of Palestinian statehood. A French-organised conference on the issue will be held on Monday in New York. Almost 150 of the UN's 193 member states have already recognised a Palestinian state.
Source: Qatar Tribune
