UK, Australia, and Canada Acknowledge Palestinian Statehood: Israel’s Response and What It Means for Global Relations

LONDON (AP) — The U.K., Australia, and Canada officially recognized a Palestinian state on Sunday. This move was met with anger from Israel, which has dismissed the idea outright.

This recognition from these three Commonwealth countries shows rising concerns about Israel’s actions in Gaza and its efforts to block the formation of a Palestinian state, notably through expanding settlements in the West Bank.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer explained that this decision aims to rekindle hope for peace between Israelis and Palestinians. He insisted it’s not a reward for Hamas, which was responsible for the deadly attacks in October 2023 that resulted in significant casualties.

Starmer stated, “Today, to revive the hope of peace and a two-state solution, I say clearly that the U.K. formally recognizes the state of Palestine.” He mentioned that the U.K. recognized Israel over 75 years ago. Now, it joins over 150 countries in acknowledging Palestine.

In response, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared that a Palestinian state “will not happen.” Meanwhile, Hamas welcomed the announcement, viewing it as a validation of their ongoing struggle.

The U.K.’s recognition was anticipated after Starmer indicated in July that the country would take this step if Israel didn’t agree to a ceasefire. Other nations, including Portugal and potentially France at the U.N. General Assembly, may follow suit in recognizing Palestine.

Netanyahu criticized the nations’ actions as rewarding Hamas and threatened unilateral measures, including possible annexations in the West Bank. On the Palestinian side, President Mahmoud Abbas hailed the U.K.’s decision as crucial for achieving a long-lasting peace.

Historically, the U.K. and France have played significant roles in Middle Eastern politics, especially after World War I when they partitioned the region following the Ottoman Empire’s fall. The 1917 Balfour Declaration, which the U.K. issued, supported establishing a Jewish homeland in Palestine, yet ignored the rights of the Palestinian people.

As emphasized by Burcu Ozcelik, a Middle East expert, while it’s vital for the U.K. and France to recognize Palestine, true progress relies heavily on U.S. involvement. Husam Zomlot, the Palestinian representative in the U.K., suggested that this recognition is a necessary correction of historical wrongs stretching back over a century.

Today, the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza only heightens the urgency for a diplomatic resolution. Recent reports stated that over 65,000 people have perished in the region due to escalating violence. Experts from the U.N. have even warned that Israel’s actions may amount to genocide—a claim Israel vehemently disputes.

Both the U.K. and France’s recognition could symbolize a meaningful shift in international diplomacy regarding the Israel-Palestine conflict. The idea of a two-state solution remains the most widely endorsed approach for lasting peace.

For further reading on the recognition of Palestine, check the Associated Press.

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