Canada, Australia, and the UK Recognize the State of Palestine, Triggering Netanyahu’s Outrage

In a coordinated diplomatic move, Canada, Australia, and the UK have officially recognized the State of Palestine. This action comes just one day before a crucial UN conference on the two-state solution. The decision has sparked a mix of reactions, with the Palestinian leadership welcoming it and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu calling it an existential threat.

Growing International Recognition

Canadian Prime Minister Marc Carney confirmed on Sunday that his country officially recognizes the Palestinian state, explaining that the current Israeli government is "systematically working to prevent any possibility of a Palestinian state."

Similarly, both Australia and the UK, through Prime Minister Keir Starmer, announced the same step. In a video statement, Starmer said the recognition aims to "revive the hopes for peace." He also stressed that Hamas is a "terrorist organization" that "cannot have any role in the future of Palestine" and called on Israel to "halt the atrocities in the Gaza Strip."

The Australian government also affirmed that "Hamas should have no role in a Palestinian state."

Mixed Reactions

Netanyahu stated that the establishment of a Palestinian state would "endanger Israel's existence and be a senseless prize for terrorism." He vowed to fight a diplomatic battle in the UN and other forums against what he called "false propaganda" against his country and the calls for a Palestinian state.

On the global stage, UN Secretary-General António Guterres urged the world "not to be afraid of Israeli reactions" to the recognition of Palestine. He noted that Israel "continues a policy of destroying the Gaza Strip and annexing the West Bank."

These developments follow the UN General Assembly's overwhelming approval last Friday of the "New York Declaration," a Saudi-French initiative that supports the two-state solution and outlines "concrete, time-bound, and irreversible steps" toward its realization. As of now, 149 of the 193 UN member states recognize the State of Palestine.