Canada could join UK, France in recognising Palestine: The significance
Palestine is facing a severe humanitarian crisis that has led to massive starvation. Canada Prime Minister Mark Carney has blamed this on Israel's refusal to give international organisations control of aid in Gaza. UK's Keir Starmer, meanwhile, said the UK would support Palestinian statehood in September unless Israel halts its military campaign, abandons annexation plans in the West Bank, and engages in peace efforts to establish a two-state solution. This decision marks a major shift in UK foreign policy.
Israeli ambassador to Canada, Iddo Moed, strongly criticised Canada's position, saying that it is 'rewarding terrorists'.
As many as 147 out of 193 UN member countries recognise the state of Palestine at present. The 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA 80) will open on September 9, in the US.
What does achieving statehood do for Palestine? We explain.
For Palestine, achieving statehood would mean international recognition as an independent and sovereign country. Currently, Palestine holds the status of a 'Permanent Observer State' at the United Nations. This allows Palestine to participate in debates and UN sessions but not to vote on resolutions.
To become a full UN Member State, Palestine would need a recommendation from the UN Security Council, followed by a two-thirds majority vote in the General Assembly. However, any of the five permanent members (P5) of the Security Council (US, UK, France, Russia, and China) can veto the application.
A US veto blocked Palestine's last bid for full UN membership in April 2024. While the 2012 upgrade to observer status was seen as progress, full recognition would give Palestine greater diplomatic and legal standing in international affairs and further its pursuit of a two-state solution.
As of March 2025, 147 out of the 193 UN member states (roughly 75%) recognise the State of Palestine. The recognition movement gained momentum following the intensification of the situation in Gaza and growing international outrage over the humanitarian crisis.
In 2024, a group of UN experts urged all member nations to recognise Palestine in a bid to bring about a ceasefire in Gaza. This had come a week after Spain, Norway, and Ireland recognised Palestine.
Most nations in Africa, Asia, and the Middle East (including India) have long recognised Palestine. In contrast, several Western countries have not. The United States, Japan, South Korea, and Australia are among those that still withhold formal recognition.
In Europe, while France and the UK recently announced they will recognise Palestine in September in hopes of promoting peace, countries like Belgium and Germany are yet to do so.
In a post on X, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu responded to the U.K.'s decision, saying: 'Starmer rewards Hamas's monstrous terrorism & punishes its victims.'
Despite this opposition, the growing number of recognitions signals a shift in global opinion, with many countries increasingly aligning with the call for Palestinian statehood as a step toward resolving the conflict.
The UK's decision to recognise Palestine as a state holds immense political and symbolic importance as it marks a significant shift in British foreign policy. The UK would become the second G7 nation (after France) to recognise Palestine, followed by Canada being the third, putting additional diplomatic pressure on Israel.
The timing also matters. The announcement comes in the wake of public outrage over the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, with images of starving children sparking global condemnation. By linking statehood recognition to a ceasefire and progress toward peace, the UK is using its diplomatic clout to incentivise negotiations.
Britain's historical role adds further weight to this decision. The 1917 Balfour Declaration, in which Britain supported the establishment of a 'national home for the Jewish people' in Palestine, played a key role in shaping the modern Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Many Palestinians view the declaration as the beginning of their displacement and suffering, culminating in the Nakba of 1948.
If the UK proceeds with recognition, the United States would become the only permanent member of the UN Security Council (P5) not to do so. That isolation could further challenge the US's position as an 'impartial mediator' in Middle Eastern peace talks.
Shaarvi Magazine is a summer intern with The Indian Express
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