New York. The United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, France, and Spain formally recognized a Palestinian state this week, drawing sharp criticism from Israel, which ruled out the prospect. 

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, facing mounting pressure from within his Labour Party to adopt a tougher stance on Israel amid the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, confirmed the UK’s recognition in a video address Sunday. “Today, to revive the hope of peace and a two-state solution, I state clearly as prime minister of this great country that the United Kingdom formally recognizes the state of Palestine,” Starmer said, adding that the move was not a reward for Hamas.

“More than 150 countries already recognize a Palestinian state, and today we join them,” Starmer added, emphasizing that the recognition aligns with decades of British support for Palestinian independence alongside Israel.

However, he acknowledged that achieving a negotiated peace has become increasingly challenging. Israel’s assault on Gaza over the past two years has displaced much of the population, killed more than 65,000 people, and created a humanitarian catastrophe, including famine conditions in Gaza City.

Australia and Canada followed suit, issuing formal statements recognizing Palestinian statehood. “We are committed to supporting a just and lasting peace between Israelis and Palestinians,” Australia’s Prime Minister said. Canada echoed the sentiment, calling the move a step toward revitalizing stalled peace efforts and affirming Palestinians’ right to self-determination.

France made its announcement Monday at a high-level United Nations meeting convened to advance the two-state solution. French President Emmanuel Macron declared, “True to the historic commitment of my country to the Middle East, to peace between Israelis and Palestinians, this is why I declare that today, France recognizes the state of Palestine.”

The announcement drew loud applause from the assembled delegation, including Palestinians attending the General Assembly. 

Spain has taken an especially vocal role, with Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares dismissing Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s claim that a Palestinian state will never exist. Speaking at the UN, Albares said, “I’m sure that we will find someday the right people for peace on the Israel side, in the same way that we have found it in the Palestinian side.” He highlighted a “real wave” of countries recognizing Palestine since Spain, Ireland, and Norway did so in May 2024, noting that an overwhelming majority support a two-state solution.

Albares criticized Hamas as an extremist group opposed to peace, saying, “Let’s put aside the extremists, and let’s look for the people that want a peaceful and secure coexistence.” He stressed Spain’s strong stance against Israel’s actions in Gaza, calling the conflict an “endless war” that undermines human rights and international principles. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez earlier described Israel’s campaign as “genocide” and moved to impose an arms embargo and block fuel deliveries to Israel through Spanish ports.

Other nations, including Andorra, Belgium, Luxembourg, Malta, and Monaco, either confirmed or announced recognition in recent days, while Germany, Italy, and Japan participated in the UN session but stopped short of formal recognition.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres underscored the importance of recognizing Palestinian statehood as a right, not a reward, a clear counter to Israel’s narrative that recognition would embolden Hamas. “Statehood for the Palestinians is a right, not a reward,” he said.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, speaking via video after the US revoked his visa, welcomed the announcements, stating the Palestinian Authority remains committed to a two-state solution and is establishing new social welfare programs after phasing out payments to families of Palestinians killed or imprisoned by Israel. Addressing Israelis, Abbas called for an end to violence and conflict, wishing Jews worldwide a happy Rosh Hashana.

Hamas, which continues to control parts of Gaza, hailed the recognition as a “rightful outcome of our people’s struggle” and called on the world to isolate Israel. 

Israel's Netanyahu condemned the recognition, calling it a “prize” to Hamas and reiterating that “a Palestinian state will not be established west of the Jordan River.” Netanyahu has threatened unilateral steps, including potential annexation of parts of the West Bank, which would further complicate prospects for Palestinian sovereignty. He is scheduled to address world leaders at the UN General Assembly and meet with US President Donald Trump later this week to discuss Israel’s response.

The Trump administration also opposes the growing international recognition of Palestine, blaming it for undermining previous ceasefire negotiations with Hamas. US-brokered peace talks, long stalled, have seen renewed setbacks in recent months amid continued violence and Israeli military operations.

International support for Palestinian statehood remains widespread: roughly three-fourths of the 193-member U.N. have recognized Palestine. Advocates of a two-state solution argue that without an independent Palestinian state, Israel will face a stark choice between maintaining a military occupation without equal rights for millions of Palestinians or adopting a binational state that risks losing its Jewish majority.

At the UN, Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto reiterated his country’s plan to establish ties with Israel if it recognizes Palestinian statehood. “We must guarantee statehood for Palestine, but Indonesia also declares that once Israel recognizes the independence and statehood of Palestine, Indonesia will immediately recognize the state of Israel,” he said, winning applause from the assembly.