Britain, Canada and Australia recognise Palestinian state

Other countries are expected to do the same at UN General Assembly this week

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Britain said on Sept 21 that it was recognising a Palestinian state after Israel failed to meet conditions including a ceasefire in the nearly two-year-old Gaza war.

"Today, to revive the hope of peace for the Palestinians and Israelis, and a two-state solution, the United Kingdom formally recognises the State of Palestine," Prime Minister Keir Starmer said on X.

London’s step aligns it with more than 140 other nations but will irk both Israel and its main ally, the United States.

The decision carries symbolic weight as Britain played a major role in Israel's creation as a modern nation in the aftermath of World War II and has long been its ally.

Canada and Australia also recognised a Palestinian state on Sept 21, and other countries are expected to do so this week at the UN General Assembly in New York.

“In doing so, Australia recognises the legitimate and long-held aspirations of the people of Palestine to a state of their own,” Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said in a statement.

“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 peoples.”