U.Ok. Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney meet earlier than the beginning of the G7 summit at Parliament Hill on June 15, 2025 in Ottawa, Canada.
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Suzanne Plunkett/WPA Pool/Getty Photographs
Canada, the U.Ok., Australia and different nations 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 acknowledged the State of Israel greater than 75 years in the past as a homeland for the Jewish folks. Immediately we be part of over 150 nations who acknowledge a Palestinian State additionally. A pledge to the Palestinian and Israeli folks, that there generally is a higher future,” U.Ok. Prime Minister Keir Starmer mentioned in a speech on Sunday.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney mentioned Sunday recognizing Palestine as a state “empowers those that search peaceable coexistence and the top of Hamas.”
“This on no account legitimises terrorism, neither is it any reward for it. Moreover, it on no account compromises Canada’s steadfast help for the State of Israel, its folks, and their safety — safety that may solely finally be assured by way of the achievement of a complete two-state resolution,” Carney mentioned in an announcement.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese mentioned Sunday that opening embassies and establishing diplomatic relations shall be thought-about because the Palestinian Authority makes progress on its dedication to reform.
“Already, essential work is underway throughout the worldwide neighborhood to develop a reputable peace plan that allows the reconstruction of Gaza, builds the capability of the state of Palestine and ensures the safety of Israel,” Albanese mentioned in a assertion.
The designation from U.S. allies follows Starmer’s assembly with President Trump final week. After their assembly, Trump mentioned he wished the warfare in Gaza to finish however disagreed with plans to acknowledge Palestine as a state.
“I’ve a disagreement with the prime minister on that rating,” Trump mentioned throughout a press convention.
World leaders will meet for the UN Common Meeting on Tuesday, with extra nations, 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 mentioned in July France would announce the designation on the meeting, posting on X that recognizing Israel and Palestine will contribute to “the safety of all within the area.”
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 highway, 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 nations had formally acknowledged Palestine as a state was praised by Palestinian officers.
Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas careworn in a number of statements that it’ll assist pave the best way for a two-state resolution, and permit Palestine to stay “facet by facet with the State of Israel in safety, peace and good neighborliness.”
Within the Israeli-occupied West Financial institution, response amongst Palestinians was blended. Sara Mohammed, a 20-year-old laptop engineering pupil at Birzeit College close to Ramallah, instructed NPR that she needs to see extra concrete motion.
“We wish folks to talk as much as change one thing — to not simply say it and transfer on,” she mentioned.
The muted temper within the West Financial institution — the place there are actually 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 nations’ new designation, saying on Sunday in a message posted on X that “there shall be no Palestinian state west of the Jordan.”
“I’ve a transparent message to these leaders who acknowledge a Palestinian state after the horrible bloodbath of October 7: You’re giving an enormous reward to terrorism,” Netanyahu mentioned. “The response to the most recent try to impose a terrorist state on us within the coronary heart of our nation shall be given after my return from the US. We’ll wait.”
And because the nations introduced the popularity, Israel launched an assault on Gaza Metropolis, killing greater than 40 folks, in line with The Related Press.
NPR’s Carrie Kahn contributed to this report from Ramallah.
