Australia, Canada and U.K. formally recognise Palestinian statehood ahead of UNGA

Canada recognised a Palestinian state on Sunday (September 21, 2025) despite opposition from the U.S, with the hope it paves the way for peace based on two states living side by side.

Prime Minister Mark Carney announced on the social platform X that Canada had recognized a Palestinian state.

He had already said in late July he would do so as many Western countries are increasingly fed up with the intensifying war in Gaza.

The move comes ahead of the U.N. General Assembly this week, where other nations, including Australia and France, are also expected to recognize a Palestinian state. The U.K as well as Portugal are expected to do so later on Sunday (September 21, 2025).

It has angered Israel and the United States, which say recognition emboldens extremists and rewards Hamas, the group that led the Oct. 7, 2023, attacks into southern Israel that triggered the war.

U.K. formally recognises a Palestine state

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said the U.K. is formally recognizing a Palestinian state despite vociferous opposition from the U.S. and Israel.

In a statement Sunday, Starmer said the move is part of a process to bring about an end to the conflict in Gaza and help promote a lasting peace between Israel and the Palestinians.

File photo of British Prime Minister Keir Starmer
| Photo Credit:
Reuters

Though the move is largely symbolic, it is a historic moment as the U.K. arguably laid the groundwork for the creation of the Israeli state when it was in control of what was then known as Palestine in 1917.

The announcement was widely anticipated after Starmer said in July that the U.K. would recognize a Palestinian state unless Israel agreed to a ceasefire in Gaza, allowed the U.N. to bring in aid and took other steps toward long-term peace.

The U.K. is not alone in recognizing a Palestinian state. More than 140 countries have already taken that step and more are expected to do so at the U.N. General Assembly this week, including Australia, Canada and France. Portugal is also expected to do so later Sunday.

Australia formally recognises Palestine state

Australia on Sunday (September 21, 2025) also recognised a Palestine state. Australia recognised the legitimate and long held aspirations of the people of Palestine to a state of their own.

Australia’s Prime Minister Antony Albanese said “Today’s act of recognition reflects Australia’s longstanding commitment to a two-state solution, which has always been the only path to enduring peace and security for the Israel and the Palestinian peoples.”