U.Ok., Canada and Australia acknowledge a Palestinian state, regardless of U.S. opposition

Canada, the U.Ok., Australia and different international locations on Sunday introduced they may formally acknowledge Palestine as a state — a transfer that has lengthy been opposed by the U.S. and Israel.

“We recognized the State of Israel more than 75 years ago as a homeland for the Jewish people. Today we join over 150 countries who recognize a Palestinian State also. A pledge to the Palestinian and Israeli people, that there can be a better future,” U.Ok. Prime Minister Keir Starmer stated in a speech on Sunday.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney stated Sunday recognizing Palestine as a state “empowers those who seek peaceful coexistence and the end of Hamas.”

“This in no way legitimises terrorism, nor is it any reward for it. Furthermore, it in no way compromises Canada’s steadfast support for the State of Israel, its people, and their security — security that can only ultimately be guaranteed through the achievement of a comprehensive two-state solution,” Carney stated in an announcement.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese stated Sunday that opening embassies and establishing diplomatic relations might be thought of because the Palestinian Authority makes progress on its dedication to reform.

“Already, crucial work is underway across the international community to develop a credible peace plan that enables the reconstruction of Gaza, builds the capacity of the state of Palestine and guarantees the security of Israel,” Albanese stated in a assertion.

The designation from U.S. allies follows Starmer’s assembly with President Trump final week. After their assembly, Trump stated he needed the battle in Gaza to finish however disagreed with plans to acknowledge Palestine as a state.

“I have a disagreement with the prime minister on that score,” Trump stated throughout a press convention.

World leaders will meet for the UN Basic Meeting on Tuesday, with extra international locations, together with France, anticipated to formally acknowledge Palestine as a state within the coming days. Greater than 140 of 193 UN member states already acknowledge Palestine as a state.

French President Emmanuel Macron stated in July France would announce the designation on the meeting, posting on X that recognizing Israel and Palestine will contribute to “the security of all in the region.”

Portugal’s Ministry of Overseas Affairs additionally introduced on Friday that it could formally acknowledge Palestine as a state.

Displaced Palestinians flee northern Gaza Strip, by foot and in autos, carrying their belongings alongside the coastal street, close to Wadi Gaza, Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025.

Abdel Kareem Hana/AP

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Abdel Kareem Hana/AP

Israeli and Palestinian reactions

Information that international locations had formally acknowledged Palestine as a state was praised by Palestinian officers.

Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas pressured in a number of statements that it’ll assist pave the way in which for a two-state resolution, and permit Palestine to reside “side by side with the State of Israel in security, peace and good neighborliness.”

Within the Israeli-occupied West Financial institution, response amongst Palestinians was combined. Sara Mohammed, a 20-year-old pc engineering pupil at Birzeit College close to Ramallah, advised NPR that she desires to see extra concrete motion.

“We want people to speak up to change something — not to just say it and move on,” she stated.

The muted temper within the West Financial institution — the place there at the moment are greater than 1,200 Israeli-manned checkpoints and gates, making journey very troublesome — is a far cry from celebrations that broke out again in 2012 when the UN upgraded Palestine to observer state standing.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu denounced the international locations’ new designation, saying on Sunday in a message posted on X that “there will be no Palestinian state west of the Jordan.”

“I have a clear message to those leaders who recognize a Palestinian state after the terrible massacre of October 7: You are giving a huge reward to terrorism,” Netanyahu stated. “The response to the latest attempt to impose a terrorist state on us in the heart of our country will be given after my return from the US. We will wait.”

And because the international locations introduced the popularity, Israel launched an assault on Gaza Metropolis, killing greater than 40 folks, in accordance with The Related Press.

NPR’s Carrie Kahn contributed to this report from Ramallah.