Kathmandu – In a landmark diplomatic shift, the United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia on Sunday formally recognized Palestine as an independent state. The coordinated announcements mark a significant moment in global responses to the Israeli–Palestinian conflict.
UK’s Recognition and Stand on Hamas
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said the move was “a historic initiative to preserve the two-state solution.”
“Today is a day to revive peace and hope for the future. I want to state clearly that the United Kingdom formally recognizes the State of Palestine,” Starmer declared.
He condemned Hamas as a “brutal terrorist organization” and demanded the immediate release of hostages. Starmer emphasized that Hamas could have no role in the future governance of Palestine.
Canada and Australia Join the Move
Earlier on Sunday, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese also confirmed that their governments had recognized Palestine.
The three Western allies, traditionally close to the United States and Israel, have taken a step that leaves U.S. President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu increasingly isolated in their opposition to Palestinian statehood.
Global Context and UN Recognition
The recognition comes just before an international peace conference in New York, jointly organized by France and Saudi Arabia, which will focus on supporting a two-state solution and rejecting Hamas.
Diplomatic observers expect more countries, including France, to extend recognition during this week’s United Nations General Assembly session. Of the 193 UN member states, more than 145 have already recognized Palestine. Momentum has grown since Hamas’s October 7, 2023 attack on Israel, which triggered a devastating Israeli military campaign in Gaza.
The 22-month war has killed tens of thousands of Palestinians, many of them women and children, fueling accusations of genocide. Protests have also erupted inside Israel, where critics say Prime Minister Netanyahu has damaged Israel’s global image by overseeing indiscriminate civilian killings.
