Canada, the United Kingdom, and Australia have formally recognised Palestinian statehood, a largely symbolic gesture in response to Israel’s ongoing military actions in Gaza and its territorial advances in the occupied West Bank.
Following the Sunday announcements, additional countries, including France and Portugal, are anticipated to extend recognition in the coming days, reports Al Jazeera.
Israel has reacted strongly. Ahead of the announcements, Shosh Bedrosian, spokesperson for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, described the recognitions as “absurd and simply a reward for terrorism.”
On September 15, speaking in occupied East Jerusalem, Netanyahu reaffirmed his stance, assuring supporters that “there will be no Palestinian state.”
While the recognitions by Canada, the UK, and Australia captured global headlines, analysts caution that the gesture is largely symbolic amid the ongoing suffering, killings, and forced displacement of hundreds of thousands of Palestinians.
Nevertheless, the move carries some diplomatic weight.
“Recognition matters here because key US allies had previously held off until after a negotiated settlement,” explained Rida Abu Rass, a Palestinian political scientist. “By breaking ranks, these countries have highlighted Israel’s isolation, which is significant diplomatically.”
Tragically, on the same day the recognition was announced, Israeli attacks in Gaza killed at least 55 Palestinians, including 37 in Gaza City, where military operations have intensified.
A question of real impact
Experts remain skeptical that these recognitions will materially improve the conditions of Palestinians enduring Israeli military aggression.
Since October 2023, Israel’s operations in Gaza have reportedly killed at least 65,283 people and injured 166,575, though many analysts believe the actual numbers are higher. In the October 7, 2023, Hamas-led attacks on Israel, 1,139 people were killed and around 200 were taken captive.
