UK, Canada, Australia, Portugal recognise Palestinian state

The United Kingdom, Canada, Australian and Portugal on Sunday recognised the State of Palestine, reported Xinhua.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said in a video statement that Britain "formally recognizes the State of Palestine," calling for a shift back to a two-state solution.

Starmer said in July that Britain would recognize Palestinian statehood in September unless the Israeli government takes "substantive steps to end the appalling situation in Gaza."

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney on Sunday issued a statement on Canada's recognition of the State of Palestine.

According to the statement, Canada does so as part of a coordinated international effort to preserve the possibility of a two-state solution.

"This recognition is firmly aligned with the principles of self-determination and fundamental human rights reflected in the United Nations Charter, and the consistent policy of Canada for generations," said the statement.

The current Israeli government is working methodically to prevent the prospect of a Palestinian state from ever being established. It has pursued an unrelenting policy of settlement expansion in the West Bank, which is illegal under international law, according to the statement.

Its sustained assault in Gaza has killed tens of thousands of civilians, displaced well over one million people, and caused a devastating and preventable famine in violation of international law, read the statement.

Australia also formally recognizes the independent and sovereign State of Palestine, effective Sunday, according to a government statement.

"Australia recognizes the legitimate and long-held aspirations of the people of Palestine to a state of their own," said a joint media release by Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Foreign Minister Penny Wong.

Australia's recognition of Palestine, alongside Canada and Britain, is part of a coordinated international effort to build new momentum for a two-state solution, starting with a ceasefire in Gaza and the release of the hostages taken in October 2023, the statement said.

"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," it said.

"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," the statement said.

Meanwhile, Portugal officially recognized the State of Palestine on Sunday, reported Xinhua, quoting the Lusa News Agency.

"Today, the Portuguese State officially recognizes the State of Palestine," Foreign Minister Paulo Rangel declared at the Portuguese UN mission in New York, emphasizing that the country believes a two-state solution "is the only path to peace."

"It is more than time to take the necessary steps for peace," Lusa news agency quoted Rangel as saying. The minister added Portugal advocates for a ceasefire and opening borders to humanitarian aid. The announcement came as scheduled on the eve of the High-Level Conference on the two-state solution, organized by France and Saudi Arabia at UN headquarters in New York.

The Portuguese government's decision received full support from President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, who told journalists in New York that he "followed the entire process" and emphasized that Portugal "has always, with all presidents and all governments, defended this principle."

Welcoming the move, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said, "It constitutes an important and necessary step toward achieving a just and lasting peace in accordance with international legitimacy," according to a statement by his office.