A chorus of powerful nations have signalled openness to recognising the State of Palestine during the 80th Session of United Nations General Assembly (UNGA 80) in September, a move that could mark a turning point in the persisting Hamas-Israel war in Gaza Strip.
The United Kingdom, France, Canada, Australia, Malta and Portugal have recently expressed their intention to formalise Palestinian statehood recognition in next month’s assemblage in New York City, projecting to join over 140 other UN member states in upholding the embattled land’s independence.
The shift in these countries’ diplomatic approaches comes amid mounting global outrage over the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Gaza, including reports of widespread starvation attributed to Israel’s blocking of international assistance – nearly two years into the brutal armed conflict.
What the state leaders said
Leaders of said nations have declared support for the Palestinian statehood in separate statements between mid-July and early August, with varying tones but parallel dictates – immediate ceasefire, release of all hostages and distribution of relief goods to the people of Gaza.
In a post on X on July 25, French President Emmanuel Macron made a straightforward declaration: “Given its historic commitment to a just and sustainable peace in the Middle East, I have decided that France will recognise the state of Palestine.”
The president pointed out that the most urgent thing today is for the war in Gaza to stop and for the civilian population to be saved.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer followed suit on July 29, but made the pledge conditional.
In a written statement, he said Britain will recognise the State of Palestine “unless the Israeli government takes substantive steps to end the appalling situation in Gaza and commits to a long term sustainable peace… including making clear there will be no annexations in the West Bank,” the larger of the two Palestinian territories.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and Malta’s Permanent Secretary for Foreign Affairs and Tourism Christopher Cutajar both announced on July 30 that their countries will recognise the State of Palestine in September.
Speaking with the press after a Cabinet meeting, Carney said the decision is predicated on the demilitarisation of Palestine and the conduct of general elections in 2026 “in which Hamas can play no part” – a promise made by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in June.
For Cutajar, recognising the State of Palestine reflects Malta’s long-standing support towards self-determination for the Palestinian people.
“As responsible actors, we have a duty to work to translate the concept of a two-state solution from theory into practice,” he told a UN meeting on the Middle East conflict, referring to a proposed approach to resolving the decades-old territorial dispute between Israel and Palestine.
On July 31, the office of Portugal Prime Minister Luis Montenegro made a similar pronouncement, saying the country “is considering recognition of the Palestinian state” at the UNGA 80, taking into account “the extremely worrying developments in the conflict, both from a humanitarian perspective and through repeated references to a possible annexation of Palestinian territories” by Israel.
Australia Prime Minister Anthony Albanese was the latest head of state to publicise his country’s stance on Palestinian statehood.
In a statement on August 11, he said the decision adds to the “international momentum towards a two-state solution, a ceasefire in Gaza and the release of hostages.”
“A two-state solution is humanity’s best hope to break the cycle of violence in the Middle East and to bring an end to the conflict, suffering and starvation in Gaza,” he stated.
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Recognition of Palestine
Currently, 147 out of 198 UN member states have recognised Palestine as a state, most of which did so in 1988, when the Palestine National Council handed over the Palestinian Declaration of Independence.
Nine nations, including Spain, Norway and Ireland made the recognition in 2024, following Mexico in 2023.
If the UK and France commit to their pledges during the UNGA 80, Palestine would have the support of four of the UN Security Council’s five permanent members, the other two being China and Russia, leaving the United States in a minority of one.
US Vice President JD Vance has previously said Washington “has no plans to recognise a Palestinian state… given the lack of a functional government there.”
The US has been Israel’s strongest ally throughout its 22-month-old war in Gaza, with Washington reportedly providing extensive military, diplomatic and financial support to Jerusalem.
According to the US Department of State in March, the Donald Trump administration has approved nearly $12 billion in major Foreign Military Sales to Israel.
The recognition of Palestine as a state does not immediately halt the persisting starvation and bombardment of civilian people in Gaza, nor will it carry heavy consequences on Israel’s genocidal war and suppressive occupation on Palestinian territories.
It does, however, enhance Palestine’s standing on international terrain and put more pressure on Israel to open negotiations on ending the war.
The growing global support for Palestine is not only an affirmation of its people’s right to self-determination but also a far-reaching challenge to decades of what was described as “one-sided diplomacy favouring Israel.”
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Shameeka Voyiya 
Lucia Caporalini 
Kamille Q. Cabreza