Portugal to recognise a Palestinian state ahead of UN General Assembly
Portugal's move adds to a Western push to shift policy as Gaza war persists; several allies expected to follow.
Portugal will recognise a Palestinian state on Sunday, the foreign ministry announced, marking the latest Western government moving to shift policy as the Gaza war shows no sign of abating. The decision comes ahead of next week's United Nations General Assembly in New York.
France, the United Kingdom, Canada and Australia are preparing similar announcements, according to officials familiar with the deliberations. Israel has denounced the move, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu saying it would reward terror after Hamas killed more than 1,200 people and took 251 others hostage on Oct. 7, 2023. The United States has echoed that argument, saying such recognition would complicate prospects for peace.
Around three quarters of the UN's 193 members already recognise a Palestinian state, which in 2012 was granted non-member observer state status at the United Nations.
World leaders were preparing to gather at the UN General Assembly on Tuesday, while on the ground in Gaza Israeli tanks and troops continued to advance into Gaza City as part of a broader ground offensive that has forced thousands to flee their homes.
Since Hamas launched its attack on southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, about 1,200 Israelis were killed and 251 people were taken hostage, according to Israeli authorities. The Gaza health ministry says at least 65,141 people have been killed in Gaza since then as the fighting drags on.