Canada and Australia have joined the United Kingdom in formally recognising Palestinian statehood.
Australia, Canada and the UK announced their recognition of Palestinian statehood, in an apparently coordinated move that piles pressure on Israel and puts the three countries at odds with the US.
In a statement, Canadian Prime Minister, Mark Carney announced the recognition of a Palestinian state and offered “our partnership in building the promise of a peaceful future for both the State of Palestine and the State of Israel.”
Carney added that the Israeli government was working “methodically to prevent the prospect of a Palestinian state from ever being established.”
“Recognising the State of Palestine, led by the Palestinian Authority, empowers those who seek peaceful coexistence and the end of Hamas. This in no way legitimises terrorism, nor is it any reward for it.”
Mark Carney
He stressed that the Palestinian Authority provided “direct commitments” to Canada on reforming its governance; holding general elections next year, which Hamas “can play no part” in; and demilitarising the Palestinian state.
At the same time, Australia announced that it was also recognising Palestinian statehood. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese noted that Australia said its recognition alongside Canada’s and the UK’s was part of an international effort for a two-state solution.
Albanese said in a joint statement with Foreign Minister Penny Wong that the decision was meant to revive momentum for a two-state solution that begins with a ceasefire in Gaza and the release of captives held in Gaza. The statement reiterated that Hamas must have “no role in Palestine.”
Canada’s and Australia’s recognition of Palestinian statehood was coordinated with the UK, where Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced that his country was formally recognising a Palestinian state shortly after the announcements from Ottawa and Canberra.
Starmer said that the recognition would “revive hope for peace for the Palestinians and Israelis and a two-state solution.” However, the announcements from major Western powers – and longtime Israeli allies – indicated that Israel is growing increasingly isolated internationally in light of its war on Gaza, where it has killed more than 65,200 Palestinians.
Israel and the United States have repeatedly said that recognising Palestinian statehood in the midst of the war in Gaza would be a “reward” for Hamas.
Starmer stressed that the recognition was not a reward for Hamas, as Israel has claimed, as he said that the UK will also take further action to sanction senior figures in the Hamas leadership in the coming weeks.
Israel Slams Announcement Of Palestinian statehood Recognition
Israel’s opposition Blue and White party leader, Benny Gantz, slammed the announcements by the world leaders and posted on social media that it only “emboldens Hamas, extends the war, distances the prospects of a hostage deal and sends a clear message of support to Iran and its proxies.”
“If advancing peace & stability in the Middle East is what you seek, dear Western Leaders – and not buckling to domestic political pressure, then maximum pressure must be applied to Hamas to relinquish power and return the hostages before anything else.”
Benny Gantz
Itamar Ben Gvir, Israel’s far-right Minister of National Security, stated that the recognition was a reward for murderers and “requires immediate countermeasures: the immediate application of sovereignty in Judea and Samaria and the total dismantling of the ‘Palestinian’ Authority.”
Yair Golan, an Israeli politician who leads the left-wing Democrats party, said that the “unilateral recognition” of a Palestinian state is “a severe diplomatic failure by Netanyahu and Smotrich — a destructive move for Israel’s security.”
At the United Nations General Assembly in New York next week, more countries have pledged to recognise Palestine, including France.
While recognition of Palestinian statehood is largely symbolic and has little influence on Israeli actions in the occupied territory, it highlights growing international support for Palestine.
The recognition still does not give Palestine an official seat at the UN, which can only be approved by the Security Council.The US, a permanent member of the Security Council with veto power, has already rejected calls for recognition at this moment.
Alongside recognition of Palestinian statehood, a number of Western states have imposed sanctions on Israel or are threatening to do so.
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