The United Kingdom, Canada and Australia on Sunday all recognized a putative Palestinian state, acting amid Israel’s ongoing war against Hamas in Gaza.
The synchronized announcements, coming within minutes of each other, defied opposition from the American and Israeli governments, which said such a move would be a reward for terrorism.
“Since 1947, it has been the policy of every Canadian government to support a two-state solution for lasting peace in the Middle East,” read a written statement by Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney. “This envisioned the creation of a sovereign, democratic and viable State of Palestine, building its future in peace and security alongside the State of Israel.
“Hamas has terrorized the people of Israel and oppressed the people of Gaza, wreaking horrific suffering,” the statement continued. “It is imperative that Hamas release all hostages, fully disarm and play no role in the future governance of Palestine. Hamas has stolen from the Palestinian people, cheated them of their life and liberty, and can in no way dictate their future.
“The current Israeli government is working methodically to prevent the prospect of a Palestinian state from ever being established. ... It is in this context that Canada recognizes 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,” Carney said.
Moments later, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese issued a similar statement.
He said that his country’s recognition of the “independent and sovereign State of Palestine” 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 peoples.”
Albanese stressed that “the terrorist organization Hamas must have no role in Palestine.”
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, in a video statement, said, “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.
“In the face of the growing horror in the Middle East, we are acting to keep alive the possibility of peace and of a two-state solution. That means a safe and secure Israel alongside a viable Palestinian state—at the moment we have neither,” he said.
Several other countries led by France plan to make similar announcements on Sunday and Monday.
The Israeli Foreign Ministry categorically rejected the recognition of a Palestinian state by Commonwealth countries and called it a “reward” for Hamas.
“This declaration does not promote peace, but on the contrary—further destabilizes the region and undermines the chances of achieving a peaceful solution in the future,” the foreign ministry said.
“Hamas leaders themselves openly admit: This recognition is a direct outcome, the ‘fruit’ of the October 7 massacre,” the statement continued. “Don’t let jihadist ideology dictate your policy.”
The statement stressed that the European-backed Palestinian Authority is “part of the problem and not part of the solution,” citing its continued incitement to terrorism and ongoing, years-old policy of payment for terrorists and their families known as ‘pay for slay.’
These payments led the American administration to sanction the P.A. and bar its officials from entering the U.S. to attend this month’s annual U.N. General Assembly general debate in New York.
“In any case, Israel will not accept any detached and imaginary text that attempts to force it to accept indefensible borders,” the Israeli Foreign Ministry said.
“Political gestures aimed at a domestic voting audience only harm the Middle East and are not helpful. Instead, if the countries that signed this declaration truly wish to stabilize the region, they should focus on pressuring Hamas to release the hostages and to disarm immediately,” the ministry said.
The leader of the British Conservative Party called the declarative move “absolutely disastrous.”
“We will all rue the day this decision was made,” Leader of the Opposition Kemi Badenoch wrote on X. “Rewarding terrorism with no conditions put in place for Hamas. It leaves hostages languishing in Gaza and does nothing to stop the suffering of innocent people caught in this war.”
Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir said he would propose the immediate annexation of the biblical heartland in response to the countries’ recognition of a Palestinian state.
“The recognition by the U.K., Canada and Australia of a ‘Palestinian’ state, as a prize for the murderous Nukhba terrorists, requires immediate countermeasures: the immediate application of sovereignty in Judea and Samaria and the complete dismantling of the ‘Palestinian’ terror Authority,” Ben-Gvir posted on X.
The Nukhba Force is the elite Hamas unit that spearheaded the Oct. 7, 2023, attack on southern Israel.
