LONDON, UK — Britain, Canada and Australia on Sunday formally recognised a Palestinian state, joining more than 140 countries worldwide that have already taken the step, in a move hailed as historic by Palestinians but condemned by Israel as a “reward to terrorism.”
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer said the decision was intended to “revive the hope of peace and a two-state solution,” insisting it was not a concession to Hamas.
“This recognition is about keeping alive the prospect of peace at a time when it seems more distant than ever,” he told reporters.
The announcement came just days before world leaders gather in New York for the UN General Assembly, where more countries are expected to follow suit.
But Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu swiftly rejected the move, declaring: “There will be no Palestinian state west of the Jordan River.”
In a video statement, he accused the three Western governments of “giving a huge reward to terrorism” and vowed to press ahead with settlement expansion in the West Bank.
Divided Reactions
In Britain, the decision has exposed political divisions. Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey praised it as “a great step forward,” while the Green Party called it overdue. The Conservative opposition, however, condemned Starmer’s position.
Tory leader Kemi Badenoch warned it was “absolutely disastrous” and would complicate efforts to free Israeli hostages held by Hamas in Gaza.
Inside Israel, reaction was similarly polarised. Far-right ministers Bezalel Smotrich and Itamar Ben Gvir urged the government to annex large parts of the West Bank, while centrist opposition leader Yair Lapid blamed Netanyahu’s leadership for bringing Israel to “the most severe diplomatic crisis ever.”
A Late Recognition
For Palestinians, the recognition has been bittersweet. Hamas, which governs Gaza, called it an “important step” but said it must be matched with concrete measures to stop the war and halt settlement expansion. Activists voiced scepticism.
“This is a historic moment, but it has come far too late,” said Imad al-Maghrebi, a Palestinian activist now in Turkey. “Israel has destroyed any possibility of establishing an independent, sovereign state.”
The recognition also comes as the humanitarian situation in Gaza worsens, with UN agencies warning of famine and accusing Israel of obstructing aid deliveries.
In the West Bank, Israel has approved controversial settlement projects that would effectively split Palestinian territories in two, undermining the very prospect of a contiguous state.
Symbolism and Stakes
Analysts say the move by London, Ottawa and Canberra carries more symbolic than practical weight but sends a clear diplomatic message.
“Symbols matter in diplomacy, and they matter to Palestinians,” said one Middle East expert. “Recognition does not change the facts on the ground, but it shows that patience in Western capitals has run out.”
Still, the gap between recognition and reality appears wider than ever. Gaza lies in ruins, the West Bank faces creeping annexation, and Palestinian leadership remains deeply fractured.
As Netanyahu heads to New York for the UN summit, the clash between symbolism and sovereignty will define the next chapter of a decades-long conflict — one in which the path to a Palestinian state looks increasingly uncertain, even as recognition gains momentum.
