UK, Australia, Canada recognize Palestinian state

Britain, Australia, and Canada announce their recognition of Palestinian statehood, drawing sharp condemnation from across the Israeli political spectrum.

By World Israel News Staff

Three Anglo-speaking nations announced on Sunday that they have recognized the Palestinian Authority as a sovereign state, becoming the first states to do so as part of a broad international initiative which includes France, Portugal, and Belgium.

On Sunday, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney signed a declaration formally recognizing Palestinian statehood.

“Canada recognises the State of Palestine and offers our partnership in building the promise of a peaceful future for both the State of Palestine and the State of Israel,” the declaration reads.

In a statement issued alongside the declaration, Carney justified his decision to back unilateral statehood, overturning decades of Canadian foreign policy embracing a negotiated final status agreement.

Carney blamed both Hamas terrorism and Israeli housing projects in Judea and Samaria for the erosion of the viability of the two-state solution.

“Over many decades, Canada’s commitment to this goal was premised on the expectation that this outcome would be eventually achieved as part of a negotiated settlement. Regrettably, this possibility has been steadily and gravely eroded by…the pervasive threat of Hamas terrorism to Israel and its people… [and] the accelerated settlement building across the West Bank and East Jerusalem, while settler violence against Palestinians has soared.”

Hamas, Carney emphasized, “can play no part in the future governance of Palestine,” but also castigated Israel over its war against Hamas.

At the same time, Carney’s Australian counterpart, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, issued his own statement, recognizing Palestinian statehood.

The move, Albanese said, “is part of a co-ordinated international effort to build new momentum for a two-state solution, starting with a ceasefire in Gaza and the release of the hostages.”

Echoing Carney’s comments, Albanese said that “Hamas must have no role in Palestine.”

Shortly after the declarations by Ottawa and Canberra, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer made a televised address in which he condemned Hamas as a “brutal terror organization” and rejected claims by Israel that unilateral recognition of Palestinian statehood constituted a “reward for Hamas.”

Starmer issued a sharp rebuke of Israel, accusing it of creating a “man-made humanitarian crisis in Gaza,” which he called “intolerable.”

“The hope of a two-state solution is fading,” Starmer added.

“That’s why we are building consensus with leaders in the region and beyond around our Framework for peace.”

The recognition by Britain, Canada, and Australia drew sharp condemnation from the Israeli government, Opposition leaders, and the Hostages and Missing Families Forum, which warned that recognition of unilateral statehood without the return of the hostages “effectively enables terrorism while legitimizing the October 7th massacre.”

The Israeli Foreign Ministry lambasted the announcements, calling recognition “nothing but a reward for jihadist Hamas – emboldened by its Muslim Brotherhood affiliated in the UK.”

Former Defense Minister MK Benny Gantz, head of the National Unity party and a member of the Opposition, argued that Sunday’s recognition “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.”