London/New york, 22 September (H.S.): In a historic coordinated move on Sunday, the United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia officially recognized the state of Palestine, joining approximately 140 countries backing Palestinian statehood. This landmark decision signals these nations’ frustration over the prolonged Gaza conflict and aims to revive the stalled two-state solution framework. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer condemned Israel’s ongoing bombardment and humanitarian crisis in Gaza as “utterly intolerable,” while Australian and Canadian leaders emphasized their commitment to Palestinian self-determination and peace efforts.
The move drew swift condemnation from Israel. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu denounced the recognition as a reward to terrorism, emphatically declaring that “a Palestinian state will not be established west of the Jordan River.” Israeli ministers framed the recognition as undermining peace negotiations and announced plans to harden policies, including settlement expansion in the West Bank. Netanyahu vowed a forthcoming response after his U.S. visit, signaling continued resistance backed by the United States.
Palestinian Foreign Minister Varsen Aghabekian Shahin hailed the recognition as a practical, tangible, irreversible step toward Palestinian sovereignty, though she acknowledged it would not end the conflict immediately. The recognition hopes to increase diplomatic pressure on Israel amid rising international isolation, with France, Portugal, and other nations expected to follow suit during the upcoming United Nations General Assembly. Critics argue the gesture is largely symbolic without accompanying economic or political measures, but its significance lies in Western allies breaking decades of reluctance to formally acknowledge Palestinian statehood.
The dramatic shift underscores widening global concern over the nearly two-year Gaza war’s human toll and challenges the longstanding dynamics between Israel and its traditional allies, particularly as the U.S. remains opposed to recognition outside direct Israeli-Palestinian negotiations. The coming days are anticipated to test Israel’s diplomatic relations and the viability of renewed peace efforts in one of the world’s most protracted conflicts.
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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar
