 "UK, Canada and Australia formally recognise Palestine as a state")
UK, Australia and Canada on Sunday (Sept 21) officially recognised Palestine as a sovereign state, joining more than 150 countries in the move.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer said, “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.”
Australia confirms recognition
Australia’s decision, first signalled in August, was confirmed in a joint statement by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Foreign Minister Penny Wong.
The joint statement said, “Australia recognises the legitimate and long-held aspirations of the people of Palestine to a state of their own. 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.”
Coordinated international effort
The move came alongside similar declarations by Canada and the United Kingdom, as Albanese arrived in New York for the 80th UN General Assembly. France, Belgium and Portugal also recognised Palestine during the session, part of what Australia described as “a co-ordinated international effort to build new momentum for a two-state solution.”
Canada joins the recognition
Canada formally recognised Palestine on Sunday, acting alongside international partners to preserve the prospects of a two-state solution, the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) said.
“Over many decades, Canada’s commitment to [a two-state solution] was premised on the expectation that this outcome would eventually be achieved as part of a negotiated settlement,” the PMO said.
Erosion of the two-state solution
The statement added that the prospect of a two-state solution “has been steadily and gravely eroded” by several events, including the Hamas-led attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, the Israeli parliament’s move to support annexation of the occupied West Bank, and restrictions by the Israeli government on humanitarian aid.
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