Britain, Australia and Canada Recognize Palestinian State in Landmark Shift

LONDON, Sept 21 (VoM): Britain, Canada, and Australia formally recognized the State of Palestine on Sunday, marking a historic shift in Western foreign policy and signaling growing frustration with Israel over the ongoing Gaza war.

The coordinated move aligns the three nations with around 140 countries worldwide that already recognize Palestinian statehood. Britain’s recognition carries particular symbolic weight, given its pivotal role in the creation of modern Israel following World War II.

“Today, to revive the hope of peace for the Palestinians and Israelis and a two-state solution, the United Kingdom formally recognizes the State of Palestine,” British Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced on X.

The announcement comes ahead of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, where other nations, including France, are expected to follow suit this week.

The decision puts London, Ottawa, and Canberra at odds with the United States and Israel. Washington has long insisted that Palestinian statehood should only come through direct negotiations with Israel, while Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has rejected such recognition as a threat to Israel’s existence.

Husam Zomlot, head of the Palestinian Mission in London, welcomed the move as a “long-overdue recognition” of Palestinian rights. “This is not about Palestine but about Britain’s fulfillment of a solemn responsibility. It marks an irreversible step towards justice, peace, and the correction of historic wrongs,” he said.

Starmer had warned in July that Britain would recognize Palestine unless Israel moved towards a ceasefire in Gaza, allowed more humanitarian aid into the enclave, pledged not to annex the West Bank, and committed to a genuine peace process.

Since then, Israel has expanded settlement plans and intensified its Gaza offensive, leaving ceasefire efforts in tatters. UK Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy acknowledged the bleak outlook, saying Britain’s recognition was “a necessary step to keep the two-state solution alive.”

Starmer’s government has faced mounting public and political pressure over the crisis, with protests erupting across the UK and lawmakers demanding action as Gaza’s death toll continues to rise.