PULSE POINTS
WHAT HAPPENED: Britain, Australia, Canada, France, and Portugal have formally recognized Palestinian statehood, coinciding with the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York this week.
WHO WAS INVOLVED: The governments of Britain, Australia, Canada, Portugal, France, and Israel.
WHEN & WHERE: Announcements were made on September 22, 2025, coinciding with the UN General Assembly in New York.
KEY QUOTE: “The hope for a two-state solution is fading, but we cannot let that light go out.” – British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer
IMPACT: The decision puts diplomatic pressure on Israel and strains relations between the Trump administration—which opposes recognition of a Palestinian state as a de facto reward for Hamas terrorism—and key NATO allies.
IN FULL
Britain, Australia, Canada, France, and Portugal—all members of the NATO military alliance—have formally recognized Palestinian statehood. This decision strains relations between these nations’ governments and the Trump administration, which opposes recognizing a Palestinian state as effectively a reward for the Hamas terror attacks on Israel on October 7, 2023. Israel has threatened to retaliate by partially annexing the West Bank.
The announcements came just before the annual United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) meeting in New York. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer emphasized the importance of a so-called two-state solution, stating, “The hope for a two-state solution is fading, but we cannot let that light go out.” Canada’s Prime Minister Mark Carney accused Israel of obstructing the establishment of a Palestinian state.
The Israeli government, led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, has condemned these recognitions. Netanyahu criticized the decision, stating, “You are giving a huge reward to terrorism,” and vowed that a Palestinian state will not be established west of the Jordan River. The Israeli government is believed to be considering partially annexing the West Bank, where Jewish settlements exist in increasing numbers, in retaliation.
The Trump administration also opposes recognizing Palestinian statehood, with White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt Leavitt saying on Monday that the President regards the move as a “reward to Hamas” and describing it as “just more talk and not enough action from some of our friends and allies.”
Image by Lauren Hurley / No 10 Downing Street.
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