By ABDULLAH 
In a historic diplomatic move, four major Western nations the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and Portugal have formally recognised the state of Palestine. This announcement, made on Sunday, September 21, 2025, marks the first time members of the G7 advanced economies have taken such a step. The move has been described as a bold attempt to revive hopes of a two-state solution amid ongoing conflict in Gaza and the West Bank.
For decades, Palestine’s push for statehood has been supported by much of the Global South, but resisted by most Western powers due to their close ties with Israel. Now, the entry of these influential nations signals a shift in global opinion. Over 147 UN member states already recognise Palestine, but the addition of these Western countries makes the recognition more than symbolic.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said the decision was about keeping alive the possibility of peace:
“Today, to revive the hope of peace for the Palestinians and Israelis, the United Kingdom formally recognises the State of Palestine.”
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney echoed similar views, insisting recognition was not a reward for Hamas but rather a pledge to empower those seeking peace. Australia’s Prime Minister Anthony Albanese described it as recognition of the “long-held aspirations of the Palestinian people.”
Portugal’s Foreign Minister Paulo Rangel also made it clear:
“The recognition of Palestine is the realisation of a fundamental principle of our foreign policy. A ceasefire is urgent.”
The announcement has sparked a furious reaction from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who condemned the move as a “huge reward to terrorism.” Israel argues that recognising Palestinian statehood now only emboldens Hamas, which carried out the October 7, 2023 attacks that killed more than 1,200 Israelis and left 251 hostage.
Far-right Israeli minister Itamar Ben-Gvir has already called for annexing large parts of the West Bank in response. Analysts warn that such retaliation could escalate the crisis further, possibly leading to European sanctions and even increased political isolation of Israel.
The United States, Israel’s closest ally, has not joined the recognition wave. Instead, Washington dismissed the moves as “performative,” saying its focus remains on “serious diplomacy” and the release of hostages. With elections in the US approaching and President Donald Trump openly opposing Palestinian statehood, Washington is unlikely to follow suit anytime soon.
The recognition comes at a time when Israel’s actions in Gaza have drawn widespread condemnation. Nearly 65,000 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli strikes since the war began in late 2023, according to local health authorities. UN-backed experts have even accused Israel of committing genocide, a charge that Israel strongly rejects.
Images of destroyed neighbourhoods, starving children, and mass displacement have put immense pressure on Western governments. Many leaders now believe recognition of Palestine is necessary not only to balance diplomatic pressure on Israel but also to prevent the complete collapse of the two-state solution.
French President Emmanuel Macron has emerged as one of the key figures pushing for recognition. He warned Israel directly that continued settlement building would destroy any chance of peace:
“The world is at the last minute before proposing two states becomes impossible.”
While recognition is partly symbolic Palestine still lacks agreed borders, an army, or full control over its territories the move carries significant diplomatic weight. It creates momentum for a UN-backed conference co-chaired by France and Saudi Arabia, where more European nations, including Belgium, France, Luxembourg, and Malta, are expected to follow suit.
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas welcomed the announcements, calling them a step toward a future where “the State of Palestine lives side by side with the State of Israel in peace and security.”
For Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza, this recognition has offered a rare moment of hope. One resident of Hebron said:
“It is a human duty to support Palestinians in their ordeal. Recognition confirms that our people possess a state, even under occupation.”
For Pakistanis, who have historically supported the Palestinian cause, this recognition by Western nations is seen as validation of long-standing demands. Pakistan has recognised Palestine since the 1980s and has consistently called for a two-state solution. The latest wave of recognitions may strengthen Pakistan’s diplomatic arguments at the UN and the OIC (Organisation of Islamic Cooperation).
The move may also put pressure on Middle Eastern nations like the UAE and Saudi Arabia, who normalised ties with Israel under the Abraham Accords, to reconsider their positions in light of growing public anger.
The recognition of Palestine by the UK, Canada, Australia, and Portugal is not just another diplomatic statement. It reflects a growing global frustration with the war in Gaza and the expansion of Israeli settlements in the West Bank. While Israel has vowed to resist, the pressure on its government is mounting.
Whether this results in real progress toward peace or simply deepens confrontation remains to be seen. But one thing is clear: the Palestinian issue is back at the centre of world politics and this time, the momentum seems stronger than before.