The United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and Portugal on the 21st (local time) officially recognized Palestine as a state. This is the first time a member of the Group of Seven (G7) has recognized Palestinian statehood. Israel immediately pushed back, calling it "a reward for terror."
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney was the first to announce recognition of a Palestinian state that day, saying it was "part of an international cooperative effort to preserve the possibility of a 'two-state solution.'" Carney said, "This decision is by no means a justification for or reward to terrorism," adding that it "instead empowers those who seek peaceful coexistence and want to see the end of Hamas."
U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer also said in a video message, "To revive hope for peace and a 'two-state solution,' the United Kingdom makes clear that it officially recognizes the state of Palestine." Earlier, in Jul., Starmer had signaled that unless Israel met conditions — ▲ resolving the humanitarian crisis in Gaza ▲ agreeing to a cease-fire ▲ committing to a two-state solution — the U.K. would recognize Palestine as a state before the September U.N. General Assembly. The British government judged that none of these conditions had been met over the past two months.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Portuguese Foreign Minister Paulo Rangel likewise joined the recognition, stressing support for the "two-state solution." With this, the number of U.N. member states recognizing Palestine as a state rose to 151 out of 193.
The Palestinian Authority (PA) welcomed the move immediately. Leader Mahmoud Abbas called it "an important and essential step toward achieving a just and sustainable peace." The militant faction Hamas also said it was "an important advance that affirms the rights of the Palestinian people." However, Hamas opposed being excluded from any future Palestinian government.
Israel, by contrast, reacted heatedly. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a video statement that "leaders recognizing Palestine are giving a massive reward to terror," and declared that "there will be no Palestinian state established in the West Bank." Netanyahu signaled he would announce response measures after attending the U.N. General Assembly and meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump.
Far-right figures within Israel's ruling coalition demanded tougher steps. National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir labeled the recognition "a reward for murderers" and said he would submit to the cabinet a plan to annex the West Bank (which Israel calls "Judea and Samaria") as a countermeasure.
Criticism also emerged in the United States. Nikki Haley, a former U.N. ambassador and a Republican, said "allies have capitulated to Hamas," while Sen. Lindsey Graham argued it was "the civilized world rewarding modern-day Nazis." President Donald Trump likewise said during a news conference with Prime Minister Starmer on his visit to the U.K. 4th that he did not agree with recognizing Palestinian statehood.
The decision is seen as a major turning point in diplomatic history. The United Kingdom and other leading advanced countries supported the creation of a Jewish nation-state in the Palestinian territory through the 1917 "Balfour Declaration." The declaration laid the foundation for the establishment of Israel, but it has also been regarded as the seed of the Israel-Palestinian conflict that continues to this day.
Experts said that even with major countries recognizing a Palestinian state, it will be difficult to immediately change conditions on the ground. They added that the move carries a symbolic intention to diplomatically isolate Israel, halt the war in Gaza, and pressure a restart of talks on a "two-state solution."
For this recognition of a Palestinian state to lead to tangible change, follow-up measures must ensue. Yossi Mekelberg, a senior research fellow at the U.K. think tank Chatham House, told the Washington Post that "this step will shift diplomatic dynamics and add momentum for change," but added that "without concrete measures such as restrictions on arms sales or sanctions, it is highly likely it will not make a major difference."
The New York Times likewise quoted experts as saying that "if Israel continues its outrageous and aggressive behavior as it is now, there is little chance the situation will calm down," suggesting additional pressure on Israel could follow.