Canada, UK and Australia Recognize Palestine Ahead of UN General Assembly, Signaling Western Push for Two-State Solution

Canada, the United Kingdom and Australia formally recognized the State of Palestine on Sunday, a coordinated move that serves as a rebuke to Israel over its Gaza war and comes as world leaders prepare for the United Nations General Assembly in New York later this month. The recognitions, framed by their governments as a step toward reviving a two-state solution, reflect growing Western frustration with the Gaza conflict and a push to change the political dynamic before the UN meeting.

In Ottawa, Prime Minister Mark Carney announced that Canada had recognized Palestine, saying the decision aligns with a long-standing Canadian policy in support of a two-state solution since 1947. The prime minister posted a notice on X showing the official declaration granting recognition. The move places Canada among a small group of Western nations moving to recognize a Palestinian state ahead of the UN General Assembly. It drew swift opposition from the United States and from Israel, which argued that recognizing Palestine without reciprocal steps on ceasefire and hostage releases could embolden extremist groups and reward Hamas.

In London, Prime Minister Keir Starmer said Britain would recognize the State of Palestine, saying the decision was necessary in light of the growing horror of the Israeli offensive in the Gaza Strip and the Netanyahu government’s failure to agree to a ceasefire. The move, to be formally ratified at the UN General Assembly next week, drew a flood of criticism from some lawmakers who argued it would reward terrorism and hinder humanitarian relief. The deputy prime minister said the gesture was about giving the Palestinian people hope, but acknowledged it would not immediately end the fighting or feed tens of thousands of people in Gaza. Critics warned the decision could complicate intelligence-sharing with Israel, and some backbenchers argued it might strain Britain’s relations with allies in Washington. A group of families of hostages abducted by Hamas wrote to Prime Minister Starmer, saying recognition would hamper efforts to secure the release of their loved ones. Analysts noted that while France and Portugal were also considering similar moves, the UK, along with Canada and Australia, was shaping a broader Western stance ahead of the UN gathering.

In Canberra, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese formally declared that Australia recognizes the State of Palestine. He announced the move during his trip to New York for the UN General Assembly, where Australia, alongside Canada, the UK and others, was expected to publicly recognize Palestine. Albanese’s statement emphasized that recognitions come with conditions, including commitments to hold democratic elections within the Palestinian Authority and reforms to governance and finances, and a clear rejection of Hamas involvement in any future Palestinian state. The decision has drawn mixed signals from U.S. lawmakers, with Republican members of Congress warning that recognition could invite punitive measures from Washington. Australian officials framed the decision as part of a coordinated international effort to push toward a two-state solution, starting with a ceasefire in Gaza and the release of hostages taken on October 7, 2023. The Australian position also reflects a broader regional and global debate about how to address the humanitarian crisis and the long-term political settlement.

In New York, Albanese arrived to attend the UN General Assembly meetings and to meet with allied leaders, while stressing that Australia seeks a stable, peaceful order in the region and a future where Israelis and Palestinians can live in security and dignity. He said Australia would stand with partners that support a two-state outcome and reject violence. A number of Republican lawmakers who have been critical of Palestinian recognition warned that such steps could strain ties with Australia and complicate overall security cooperation. Still, Australia cited the broader international consensus on advancing democratic governance and reform in the Palestinian Authority as part of the path toward a sustainable peace.

The recognitions come as part of a broader pattern among Western countries to recalibrate their approach to the Gaza conflict in light of mounting civilian casualties and a protracted humanitarian crisis. Israel has condemned the announcements, saying such recognitions amount to a political victory for Hamas by legitimizing a state that, in its view, has shown no commitment to disarmament or ceasefire. The United States has voiced concern that recognizing Palestine under current circumstances could undermine efforts to bring about a ceasefire and hostage releases, and could complicate security cooperation with Western allies. Israel has also warned that the move shifts attention away from immediate humanitarian needs and the imperative of halting attacks and stabilizing the region.

The discussions surrounding recognition are taking place as UN and human rights observers have reported grim conditions in Gaza. A long-running Israeli blockade and successive waves of fighting have produced a deep humanitarian crisis, with thousands killed and hundreds of thousands displaced. Palestinian authorities say that international recognition should not come at the expense of humanitarian relief and that a two-state framework remains essential to achieving lasting peace in the region. Observers caution that while recognition can create new diplomatic channels and leverage, it does not automatically translate into immediate improvements on the ground or a ceasefire.

In the weeks ahead, diplomats expect additional countries to announce similar steps at or around the UN General Assembly. France and Portugal have been cited as likely to follow, and other European and allied governments have signaled openness to recognizing Palestine as part of a renewed push for a two-state process. Analysts say the move signals a shift in Western policy toward greater diplomatic pressure for a negotiated settlement, while opponents warn that it could harden positions on both sides and complicate efforts to assemble a durable security and political framework in the region.

The unfolding developments underscore a central tension at the UN General Assembly: how to reconcile the urgent humanitarian needs in Gaza with a long-standing international commitment to a two-state solution. The path forward remains uncertain, with many countries urging both sides to heed calls for a ceasefire, unhindered humanitarian access, and renewed negotiations toward a viable Palestinian state living in peace alongside Israel.

Displaced Palestinians seen at a tent camp in Muwasi Sunday, Sept. 21, 2025. AP