UK, Canada, Australia formally recognize Palestinian state, reaffirm 2-state solution as key to peace

CAIRO – 21 September 2025: Canada has made history on Sunday, becoming the first G7 country to recognize the Palestinian state, part of a global push toward the two-state solution amid the unrelenting Israeli war in Gaza.

The United Kingdom later announced formal recognition of a Palestinian state to “revive the hope” for a two-state solution.

"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 recognises the state of Palestine," Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced in a video statement.

Global Push Toward Two-State Solution

France, Malta, Portugal, Luxembourg, Belgium, Andorra, and San Marino are also among the states set to recognize Palestine during the current United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).

The United States previously criticized the recent momentum for unilateral recognition, while some European states have yet to declare their position.

Israel has condemned the decisions, calling them “a reward for terrorism.”

The western drive to recognize Palestinian statehood has been fueled by the ongoing Israeli war in Gaza, which has killed more than 65,000 people, reduced much of the territory to rubble, displaced the majority of its 2.2 million residents, and plunged the enclave into famine.

Last week, a report by the United Nations Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory and Israel concluded that Israel is committing genocide against Palestinians.

'Keeping Two-State Solution Alive'

"We are acting to keep alive the possibility of peace and a two-state solution. That means a safe and secure Israel, longside a viable Palestinian State - At the moment, we have neither," said Starmer.

The UK prime minister stressed that the two-state solution is not a reward for Hamas.

"It means Hamas can have no future. No role in government. No role in security," Starmer said, vowing further sanctions on more of the group figures.

Canada: Recognition Not Reward to Terror

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney's office stated that the recoginition of the State of Palestine, led by the Palestinian Authority "no way legitimises terrorism nor is it any reward for it."

It underlined Canada’s unwavering support for Israel, its people, and their security, stressing that such security "can only ultimately be guaranteed through the achievement of a comprehensive two-state solution."

The office slammed the Israeli government's efforts to "prevent the prospect of a Palestinian state from ever being established."

Canada expressed rejection of Israel's "unrelenting policy of settlement expansion in the West Bank, which is illegal under international law."

The Canadian prime minister's office condemned Hamas’ role in Gaza and called for the group's full disarmament, exclusion from any future governance of the territory, and the release of all captives.

Meanwhile, Canada also underscored the impact of Israel’s war in killing "tens of thousands of civilians" in Gaza, displacing more than a million people, and triggering "a devastating and preventable famine.”

"It is now the avowed policy of the current Israeli government that ‘there will be no Palestinian state."

Australia Recognizes 'Legitimate Palestinian Rights'

Meanwhile, Australia stated that its recognition of the State of Palestine is a recognition of "the legitimate and long held aspirations of the people of Palestine to a state of their own."

"Today's act of recognition reflects Australia's longstanding commitment to a two-state solution, which has always been the only path to enduring peace and security for the Israeli and the Palestinian people," read a joint statement by Australia's Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Foreign Minister and Leader of the Government in the Senate Penny Wong.

 

Australia also stressed the need for Hamas to refrain from any role in Gaza governance in the future.

The statement noted that Australia will consider further steps including "establishing diplomatic relations and opening embassies as the Palestinian Authority makes progress on its commitments to reform."

"Australia will continue to work with our international partners to help build on today's act of recognition and to bring the Middle East closer to the lasting peace and security that is the hope, and the right, of all humanity."