Britain, Canada, Australia And Portugal Announce Recognition Of Palestinian Countries

Illustration of the Palestinian state. (UN Photo/Manuel El04s)

JAKARTA - Britain, Canada, Australia, and Portugal recognized the Palestinian State on Sunday, a move that is based on concern over the Gaza war and aims to push for a two-state solution.

The decision of the four countries traditionally allied with Israel is in line with more than 140 other countries that also support the Palestinian aspirations to form an independent homeland from occupied territories.

Britain's decision has its own symbolism, given its major role in the formation of Israel as a modern country after World War II.

"Today, to revive hopes of peace for Palestine and Israel, as well as a two-state solution, Britain officially recognizes the Palestinian State," Prime Minister Keir Starmer said.

"Human-made humanitarian crisis in Gaza is at its lowest point. The ongoing and increasing bombing by the Israeli government in Gaza, attacks in recent weeks, as well as hunger and destruction that has occurred are truly unbearable," he continued.

PM Starmer wrote a letter to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to confirm Britain's decision, stating London had supported the country for Jews in 1917 and at the same time pledged to protect the rights of non-Jahudi communities.

The Western government has come under pressure from many parties in the party and their angry residents over the increasing death toll in Gaza, a picture of children starving, and the inability of their country to control Israel, even continuing to provide weapons.

When announcing his country's decision, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said it would empower those who want peaceful coexistence and end Hamas.

"Canada recognizes the Palestinian State and offers our partnership in building a peaceful future promise for the Palestinian State and the State of Israel," said PM Carney.

"This does not legitimize terrorism at all, nor is it a reward for that," he added.

Meanwhile, Portugal's Foreign Minister, Paulo Rangel, said this recognition was "a fundamental line of Portugal's foreign policy".

Speaking to reporters at Portugal's fixed mission headquarters for the United Nations in New York, he said: "Portugal advocates a two-state solution as the only way to a just and lasting peace, a ceasefire is urgent."

Rangel also said that admitting the Palestinian State "does not erase the humanitarian disaster in Gaza," and he also condemned the hunger situation there, the destruction, and "expansion of Israeli settlements in the West Bank."

Meanwhile, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese stated that "Australia recognizes the right of the Palestinian people to establish their own independent countries," adding that this recognition "represents Australia's continued commitment to a two-state solution, which is the only way to achieve peace and security in the region," WAFA quoted.

Other countries, including France, are expected to follow suit at the United Nations General Assembly in New York.

The latest conflict in the Gaza Strip, Palestine, follows an attack by a Palestinian militant group led by Hamas on southern Israel that claimed killed 1,200 people and another 251 were held hostage on October 7, 2023, according to Israeli calculations.

That was in response to airstrikes, blockades, and land operations carried out by Israel in the Gaza Strip. Had agreed to a ceasefire from January 19 to March 18, Israel resumed its military operations. Most recently, Israel stepped up ground operations to control Gaza City, after obtaining approval from the country's cabinet last month.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Health in Gaza confirmed on Sunday that the death toll from Palestine since October 7, 2023 has reached 65,283 people, while 166,575 others were injured, quoted from Sana.

That figure includes 2,523 people who died and 18,473 were injured while seeking help, as well as 440 people who died from hunger, of which 147 were children.